Nelson, Michelle R
Forensic Scientist 2Public Safety DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
BCA LAB BIOLOGY 3. 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 2016 to FY 2026, pay went up 322% while consumer prices went up 38%. After inflation, pay is up 207% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $91,032 | +5.3% | +3.1% | +2.1% |
| FY 2025 | $86,462 | +8.2% | +2.6% | +5.5% |
| FY 2024 | $79,879 | +5.8% | +3.3% | +2.4% |
| FY 2023 | $75,517 | +9.9% | +6.3% | +3.4% |
| FY 2022 | $68,732 | +6.1% | +7.2% | −1.0% |
| FY 2021 | $64,780 | +6.2% | +2.3% | +3.8% |
| FY 2020 | $60,984 | +9.1% | +1.6% | +7.4% |
| FY 2019 | $55,899 | +10.0% | +2.1% | +7.7% |
| FY 2018 | $50,834 | +9.9% | +2.3% | +7.5% |
| FY 2017 | $46,260 | +114.2% | +1.8% | +110.4% |
| FY 2016 | $21,594 | — | — | — |
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 · Forensic Scientist 2
Paid more than 67% of the 73 people with this job title that year. The median was $85,437.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
11 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Public Safety Dept BCA LAB BIOLOGY 3 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $44.48 /hr | — | $91,032 |
| 2025 | Public Safety Dept BCA LAB BIOLOGY 3 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $42.31 /hr | — | $86,462 |
| 2024 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Biology 1 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $39.06 /hr | — | $79,879 |
| 2023 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Quality Assurance | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $35.69 /hr | — | $75,517 |
| 2022 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Quality Assurance | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $33.61 /hr | — | $68,732 |
| 2021 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Biology 1 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $31.70 /hr | — | $64,780 |
| 2020 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Biology 1 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $29.84 /hr | — | $60,984 |
| 2019 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Biology 2 | Forensic Scientist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $28.15 /hr | — | $55,899 |
| 2018 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab Biology 2 | Forensic Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $24.81 /hr | — | $50,834 |
| 2017 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab DNA2 QA | Forensic Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $23.52 /hr | $118 | $46,260 |
| 2016 | Public Safety Dept BCA Lab DNA 1 CST | Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $19.28 /hr | — | $21,594 |
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 Safety Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- Krambeer, Adam James$246,089State Patrol Trooper
- Barthel, Eric J$241,240State Patrol Captain
- Stricker, Paul G.$227,992State Patrol Trooper
- Engeldinger, Jason H$220,634State Patrol Captain
- Farmakes, John D$219,560State Patrol Lieutenant
- Yang, Dau Mong$207,791State Patrol Trooper
- Evans, Andrew W$206,747Superintendent BCA
- Erickson, Thomas Michael$205,456State Patrol Trooper
Highest paid as Forensic Scientist 2
FY 2026, amount paid
- Folsom, Amber M$120,957Public Safety Dept
- Matzke, Brent Arthur$119,858Public Safety Dept
- Mertens, Joshua Michael$117,472Public Safety Dept
- Berget, Alexis Amanda$116,293Public Safety Dept
- Hanlon, Katherine Erin$115,184Public Safety Dept
- McDonald, Kristin Ann$109,021Public Safety Dept
- Granlund, Amy T$108,776Public Safety Dept
- Fox, Julie Lynn$108,404Public Safety Dept