Nolden, Craig Edward
Research AnalystTransportation DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
MRR MnRoad Operations. 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 2020 to FY 2026, pay went up 83% while consumer prices went up 27%. After inflation, pay is up 44% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $70,282 | +3.2% | +3.1% | +0.0% |
| FY 2025 | $68,124 | +6.6% | +2.6% | +3.9% |
| FY 2024 | $63,902 | +10.3% | +3.3% | +6.7% |
| FY 2023 | $57,959 | +22.1% | +6.3% | +14.9% |
| FY 2022 | $47,473 | −10.5% | +7.2% | −16.5% |
| FY 2021 | $53,060 | +38.4% | +2.3% | +35.3% |
| FY 2020 | $38,328 | — | — | — |
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 · Research Analyst
Paid more than 83% of the 35 people with this job title that year. The median was $55,233.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
8 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Transportation Dept MRR MnRoad Operations | Research Analyst Full-time | Ramsey | $34.69 /hr | $603 | $70,282 |
| 2025 | Transportation Dept Materials & Road Research | Research Analyst Full-time | Wright | $32.99 /hr | $1,730 | $68,124 |
| 2024 | Transportation Dept Materials & Road Research | Research Analyst Full-time | Wright | $30.55 /hr | $1,611 | $63,902 |
| 2023 | Transportation Dept Materials & Road Research | Research Analyst Full-time | Wright | $27.93 /hr | $2,617 | $57,959 |
| 2022 | Transportation Dept TS Monticello | Transp Generalist Full-time | Wright | $23.92 /hr | $1,518 | $47,473 |
| 2022 | Natural Resources Dept PAT R3C Sauk Rapids Staff | Buildings & Grounds Worker Full-time · left during year | Benton | $21.08 /hr | — | — |
| 2021 | Natural Resources Dept PAT R3C Sauk Rapids Staff | Buildings & Grounds Worker Full-time | Benton | $21.08 /hr | $1,172 | $53,060 |
| 2020 | Transportation Dept Arden Hills Subarea | Transp Generalist Full-time | Ramsey | $20.93 /hr | $795 | $38,328 |
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 Transportation Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- Fairbanks, Michael Joseph$207,651Engineer Administrative
- Wallace, Jean Marie$201,630Deputy Commr Transportation
- Daubenberger, Nancy Therese$197,945Commissioner-Transportation
- Severs, Sara V$196,965Deputy Commr Transportation
- Erickson, Daniel E$192,340Engineer Princ Admin Transp
- Beer, Michael G$188,409Transp Division Engineer
- Van Dyck, Karin L$188,262Transp Chief Admin Officer
- Solberg, Jon P$187,477Transp Asst Div Dir
Highest paid as Research Analyst
FY 2026, amount paid
- Schmidt, Teresa A$80,601Employ & Econ Development Dept
- O'Neil, Tiffany R$72,376State Auditor
- Larson, Maria L$72,120Employ & Econ Development Dept
- Aspelund, Jerrad L$72,119MN St Colleges & Universities
- Kutzman, Krista$71,413State Auditor
- Christiansen, Steven Grant$68,412MN St Colleges & Universities
- Martin, Joel Charles$65,734MN St Colleges & Universities
- Chiu, Maria T$62,827Pollution Control Agency