Knapp, Carolyn L
Public Defense ParalegalPublic Defense BoardRamsey CountyFull-time
State Public Defender. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2011 to FY 2026, pay went up 154% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is up 71% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $114,854 | +0.5% | +3.1% | −2.6% |
| FY 2025 | $114,317 | +6.5% | +2.6% | +3.8% |
| FY 2024 | $107,341 | +34.5% | +3.3% | +30.2% |
| FY 2023 | $79,788 | +10.2% | +6.3% | +3.7% |
| FY 2022 | $72,408 | +5.7% | +7.2% | −1.4% |
| FY 2021 | $68,488 | +5.0% | +2.3% | +2.6% |
| FY 2020 | $65,228 | +11.2% | +1.6% | +9.5% |
| FY 2019 | $58,675 | +7.7% | +2.1% | +5.5% |
| FY 2018 | $54,472 | +3.8% | +2.3% | +1.5% |
| FY 2017 | $52,478 | +4.2% | +1.8% | +2.3% |
| FY 2016 | $50,384 | +3.8% | +0.7% | +3.1% |
| FY 2015 | $48,540 | +3.0% | +0.7% | +2.3% |
| FY 2014 | $47,124 | −0.1% | +1.6% | −1.6% |
| FY 2013 | $47,158 | +0.7% | +1.7% | −1.0% |
| FY 2012 | $46,844 | +3.6% | +2.9% | +0.6% |
| FY 2011 | $45,224 | — | — | — |
Each change compares a year with the one before. Large swings usually come from a partial year, extra hours or a change of job rather than a raise. Prices: Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, U.S. city average) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged July to June; FY 2026 uses 11 months because October 2025 was not published.
Compared with the same job title
FY 2026 · Public Defense Paralegal
Paid more than 98% of the 52 people with this job title that year. The median was $82,326.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
16 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $53.67 /hr | — | $114,854 |
| 2025 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $53.67 /hr | — | $114,317 |
| 2024 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $53.67 /hr | — | $107,341 |
| 2023 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $36.23 /hr | — | $79,788 |
| 2022 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $34.32 /hr | — | $72,408 |
| 2021 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $32.35 /hr | — | $68,488 |
| 2020 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $31.57 /hr | — | $65,228 |
| 2019 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Ramsey | $28.08 /hr | — | $58,675 |
| 2018 | Public Defense Board Appellate Office 4 | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $26.30 /hr | — | $54,472 |
| 2017 | Public Defense Board Appellate Office 4 | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $25.23 /hr | — | $52,478 |
| 2016 | Public Defense Board Appellate Office 4 | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $25.23 /hr | — | $50,384 |
| 2015 | Public Defense Board Appellate Office 4 | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $23.36 /hr | — | $48,540 |
| 2014 | Public Defense Board Appellate Office 4 | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $22.68 /hr | — | $47,124 |
| 2013 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $21.90 /hr | — | $47,158 |
| 2012 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $21.90 /hr | — | $46,844 |
| 2011 | Public Defense Board State Public Defender | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Ramsey | $21.90 /hr | — | $45,224 |
The state reports one pay total per person per year, covering all of their positions, so it appears on one of that year’s lines and the others show no separate pay.
Highest paid in Public Defense Board
FY 2026, amount paid
- Naatz, Cecil E$261,785Public Defense Managing Attrny
- Kajer, Kevin L$227,525Public Defense Chief Admin
- Middlebrook, Cathryn Y$227,525Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Ward, William$225,597Public Defense State Publ
- Lew, Daniel K$221,146Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Murphrey, Virginia$221,146Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Hoyle, Kathleen Jo$210,940Public Defense Info Sys Dir
- Riemer, John A$205,440Public Defense Chief Publ Def
Highest paid as Public Defense Paralegal
FY 2026, amount paid
- Hellekson, Melanie A$114,317Public Defense Board
- Burt, Kerry Sue$111,634Public Defense Board
- Gregory, Meara$105,040Public Defense Board
- Lodermeier, Heather Victoria Renee$105,040Public Defense Board
- Morlan, Lindsey R.$105,040Public Defense Board
- Van Guilder, JoAnne C$105,040Public Defense Board
- McCleary, Aurora A.$100,246Public Defense Board
- Krosch, Laurie$98,821Public Defense Board