Kovan, Nikki
Education Director 1Children Youth & Families DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
Asst Commr Early Childhood. 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 2014 to FY 2026, pay went up 963% while consumer prices went up 39%. After inflation, pay is up 662% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $151,825 | +1.7% | +3.1% | −1.4% |
| FY 2025 | $149,315 | +13.6% | +2.6% | +10.7% |
| FY 2024 | $131,477 | +0.9% | +3.3% | −2.3% |
| FY 2023 | $130,245 | +19.0% | +6.3% | +12.0% |
| FY 2022 | $109,464 | −2.4% | +7.2% | −9.0% |
| FY 2021 | $112,196 | +13.8% | +2.3% | +11.2% |
| FY 2020 | $98,625 | +2.7% | +1.6% | +1.1% |
| FY 2019 | $96,011 | +3.1% | +2.1% | +1.0% |
| FY 2018 | $93,162 | +8.1% | +2.3% | +5.7% |
| FY 2017 | $86,197 | +12.9% | +1.8% | +10.9% |
| FY 2016 | $76,330 | +3.9% | +0.7% | +3.2% |
| FY 2015 | $73,495 | +414.5% | +0.7% | +410.8% |
| FY 2014 | $14,285 | — | — | — |
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 · Education Director 1
Paid more than 53% of the 15 people with this job title that year. The median was $151,511.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
15 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Children Youth & Families Dept Asst Commr Early Childhood | Education Director 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $73.03 /hr | — | $151,825 |
| 2025 | Children Youth & Families Dept Asst Commr Early Childhood | Education Director 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $71.95 /hr | — | $149,315 |
| 2024 | Education Department Office of Teaching & Learning | Education Director 1 Full-time | Hennepin | $68.85 /hr | — | $131,477 |
| 2023 | Education Department Office of Teaching & Learning | State Prog Admin Manager Prin Full-time | Hennepin | $58.98 /hr | $5,266 | $130,245 |
| 2023 | Human Services Dept CSP Quality Assurance Supv | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time · left during year | Ramsey | $50.88 /hr | — | — |
| 2022 | Education Department Office of Teaching & Learning | State Prog Admin Manager Prin Full-time | Hennepin | $55.60 /hr | — | $109,464 |
| 2022 | Human Services Dept CSP Quality Assurance Supv | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time · left during year | Ramsey | $49.64 /hr | — | — |
| 2021 | Human Services Dept CS&P Child Safety | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time | Ramsey | $48.43 /hr | — | $112,196 |
| 2020 | Human Services Dept CS&P Deputy Director | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time | Ramsey | $52.92 /hr | — | $98,625 |
| 2019 | Human Services Dept CSP Quality Assurance Supv | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time | Ramsey | $46.21 /hr | — | $96,011 |
| 2018 | Human Services Dept CSP Quality Assurance Supv | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time | Ramsey | $45.19 /hr | — | $93,162 |
| 2017 | Human Services Dept CS&P Training/QA Supv | Childrens Services Prog Supv Full-time | Ramsey | $42.78 /hr | — | $86,197 |
| 2016 | Human Services Dept CS&P Research & CTF | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $36.25 /hr | — | $76,330 |
| 2015 | Human Services Dept CS&P Research & CTF | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $35.37 /hr | — | $73,495 |
| 2014 | Human Services Dept CS&P Research & CTF | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $34.34 /hr | — | $14,285 |
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 Children Youth & Families Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- Brown, Tikki Nicole$193,293Commissioner DCYF
- Moore, Shaneen D.$185,411Assistant Commissioner DCYF
- St George, Rebecca June$181,054Assistant Commissioner DCYF
- Weeks, Kathryn$181,054Assistant Commissioner DCYF
- Wahi, Bharti Moni$171,715Assistant Commissioner DCYF
- Montgomery, Leah Helen Mennis$169,189Deputy Commissioner DCYF
- Jahnke, Cynthia B$168,789General Counsel 2
- Roe, Elizabeth M$166,893Human Services Manager 5
Highest paid as Education Director 1
FY 2026, amount paid
- Kloos, Eric TW$155,097Education Department
- Lehmann, Daley$155,095Education Department
- Laven, Nichole M$152,189Education Department
- Keith, Gregory B$151,825Education Department
- Lee, Tamara L$151,825Education Department
- Reynolds, Sally A$151,825Education Department
- Novak, Julie Ann$151,511Education Department
- Schleicher, Leigh C$150,794Education Department