Sonnek, Rhonda J
Public Defense ParalegalPublic Defense BoardDakota CountyFull-time
First Judicial District. 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 2020, pay went up 39% while consumer prices went up 16%. After inflation, pay is up 19% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2020 | $63,199 | +8.2% | +1.6% | +6.5% |
| FY 2019 | $58,406 | +2.9% | +2.1% | +0.8% |
| FY 2018 | $56,786 | +2.1% | +2.3% | −0.1% |
| FY 2017 | $55,598 | +4.2% | +1.8% | +2.3% |
| FY 2016 | $53,381 | +3.8% | +0.7% | +3.1% |
| FY 2015 | $51,428 | +5.0% | +0.7% | +4.3% |
| FY 2014 | $48,960 | +3.4% | +1.6% | +1.8% |
| FY 2013 | $47,366 | +0.1% | +1.7% | −1.5% |
| FY 2012 | $47,304 | +3.8% | +2.9% | +0.9% |
| FY 2011 | $45,552 | — | — | — |
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 2020 · Public Defense Paralegal
Paid more than 81% of the 32 people with this job title that year. The median was $50,401.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
10 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $31.57 /hr | — | $63,199 |
| 2019 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $28.08 /hr | — | $58,406 |
| 2018 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $28.08 /hr | — | $56,786 |
| 2017 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $26.73 /hr | — | $55,598 |
| 2016 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $26.73 /hr | — | $53,381 |
| 2015 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $24.75 /hr | — | $51,428 |
| 2014 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Paralegal Full-time | Dakota | $24.03 /hr | — | $48,960 |
| 2013 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Dakota | $21.90 /hr | — | $47,366 |
| 2012 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Dakota | $21.90 /hr | — | $47,304 |
| 2011 | Public Defense Board First Judicial District | Public Defense Legal Secretary Full-time | Dakota | $21.90 /hr | — | $45,552 |
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 2020, amount paid
- Ward, William$160,297Public Defense State Publ
- Tucker, Rex I$159,207Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Kajer, Kevin L$159,207Public Defense Chief Admin
- Lew, Daniel K$159,207Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Middlebrook, Cathryn Y$159,090Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Cutcher, Scott R$155,464Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Holmgren, Steven K$155,464Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Kolar, Kristine$155,464Public Defense Chief Publ Def
Highest paid as Public Defense Paralegal
FY 2020, amount paid
- Burt, Kerry Sue$78,278Public Defense Board
- Hellekson, Melanie A$67,278Public Defense Board
- Lewis, Nikeysha$67,278Public Defense Board
- Knapp, Carolyn L$65,228Public Defense Board
- Sieg, Beth K$63,966Public Defense Board
- Lodermeier, Heather Victoria Renee$62,417Public Defense Board
- Van Guilder, JoAnne C$59,321Public Defense Board
- Carlson, Virginia$57,814Public Defense Board