Kovar, Nicole Renee
Environmental Specialist 4Pollution Control AgencyBecker CountyFull-time
WTR Northwest Watershed Unit. 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 116% while consumer prices went up 39%. After inflation, pay is up 55% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $106,961 | +6.4% | +3.1% | +3.2% |
| FY 2025 | $100,508 | +19.6% | +2.6% | +16.5% |
| FY 2024 | $84,067 | +1.6% | +3.3% | −1.7% |
| FY 2023 | $82,771 | +6.4% | +6.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2022 | $77,756 | +2.9% | +7.2% | −4.0% |
| FY 2021 | $75,570 | +6.2% | +2.3% | +3.8% |
| FY 2020 | $71,138 | +6.1% | +1.6% | +4.4% |
| FY 2019 | $67,072 | +5.9% | +2.1% | +3.7% |
| FY 2018 | $63,343 | +5.6% | +2.3% | +3.2% |
| FY 2017 | $60,010 | +6.1% | +1.8% | +4.2% |
| FY 2016 | $56,578 | +6.3% | +0.7% | +5.6% |
| FY 2015 | $53,220 | +7.3% | +0.7% | +6.5% |
| FY 2014 | $49,606 | — | — | — |
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 · Environmental Specialist 4
Paid more than 71% of the 142 people with this job title that year. The median was $103,220.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
13 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pollution Control Agency WTR Northwest Watershed Unit | Environmental Specialist 4 Full-time | Becker | $51.45 /hr | — | $106,961 |
| 2025 | Pollution Control Agency WTR Northwest Watershed Unit | Environmental Specialist 4 Full-time | Becker | $50.69 /hr | — | $100,508 |
| 2024 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $40.49 /hr | — | $84,067 |
| 2023 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $38.38 /hr | — | $82,771 |
| 2022 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $37.44 /hr | — | $77,756 |
| 2021 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $36.53 /hr | — | $75,570 |
| 2020 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $34.38 /hr | — | $71,138 |
| 2019 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Northern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $32.41 /hr | — | $67,072 |
| 2018 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Northern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $30.60 /hr | — | $63,343 |
| 2017 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Northern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $29.00 /hr | — | $60,010 |
| 2016 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Northern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $27.30 /hr | — | $56,578 |
| 2015 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Northern Staff | NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs Full-time | Hubbard | $25.69 /hr | — | $53,220 |
| 2014 | Natural Resources Dept WL-R2BrainerdShallowLakesStaff | NR Spec Int WL Full-time | Lyon | $24.08 /hr | — | $49,606 |
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 Pollution Control Agency
FY 2026, amount paid
- Benke, David J$206,695Pollution Cont Division Dir
- Kessler, Katrina$187,081Commissioner-Pollution Control
- Tester, Peter Lund$185,681Deputy Commr Pollution Control
- Kohlasch, Frank L$179,172Asst Commr Pollution Control
- Koudelka, Kirk G$179,172Asst Commr Pollution Control
- Vanderbosch, Dana A$174,964Asst Commr Pollution Control
- Fredrickson, Leslie$163,659General Counsel 2
- Cords, Wayne C$161,075Pollution Cont Division Dir
Highest paid as Environmental Specialist 4
FY 2026, amount paid
- Stafne, Ryan$123,262Pollution Control Agency
- Moran, Jason Paul$121,461Pollution Control Agency
- Smith, Mark P$121,054Pollution Control Agency
- Boley, Tyler$115,164Pollution Control Agency
- Hovde, Kayla Marie$115,034Pollution Control Agency
- Schulte, Michael$113,461Pollution Control Agency
- Boysen, Colin$113,368Pollution Control Agency
- Walerak, Michael R$112,914Pollution Control Agency