Swanson, Amanda
Communications Specialist 3Pollution Control AgencyRamsey CountyFull-time
OD EXTERNAL COMM AND CONTENT. 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 17,230% while consumer prices went up 39%. After inflation, pay is up 12,327% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $82,773 | +13.5% | +3.1% | +10.1% |
| FY 2025 | $72,922 | — | — | — |
| FY 2017 | $5,746 | −72.9% | +1.8% | −73.3% |
| FY 2016 | $21,168 | +15.1% | +0.7% | +14.3% |
| FY 2015 | $18,389 | +3,750.1% | +0.7% | +3,722.3% |
| FY 2014 | $478 | — | — | — |
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 · Communications Specialist 3
Paid more than 26% of the 161 people with this job title that year. The median was $95,811.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
6 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pollution Control Agency OD EXTERNAL COMM AND CONTENT | Communications Specialist 3 Full-time | Ramsey | $39.93 /hr | — | $82,773 |
| 2025 | Pollution Control Agency OD EXTERNAL COMM AND CONTENT | Communications Specialist 3 Full-time | Ramsey | $37.98 /hr | — | $72,922 |
| 2017 | Health Department VPD Surveillance Staff | Student Worker Para Prof Sr Part-time · left during year | Ramsey | $18.38 /hr | — | $5,746 |
| 2016 | Health Department VPD Surveillance Staff | Student Worker Para Prof Sr Part-time | Ramsey | $17.93 /hr | — | $21,168 |
| 2015 | Health Department VPD Surveillance Staff | Student Worker Para Prof Sr Part-time | Ramsey | $17.49 /hr | — | $18,389 |
| 2014 | Health Department VPD Surveillance Staff | Student Worker Para Prof Sr Part-time | Ramsey | $16.47 /hr | — | $478 |
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 Communications Specialist 3
FY 2026, amount paid
- DePew, Jeremy$109,668Children Youth & Families Dept
- Torner, Nancy L$108,657Health Department
- Harrison, Karen$106,800Natural Resources Dept
- Coleman, Jenifer M$105,763Natural Resources Dept
- Ernster, Michael$103,445Public Safety Dept
- Sadoff, Lynn Paige$101,931Veterans Affairs Dept
- Pribbernow, Christine N$100,722Employ & Econ Development Dept
- Gonzalez, Victor Carlos$100,626Human Services Dept