Swanson, Lowell Robert
Plant Industry Inspector 1Agriculture DeptPolk CountyFull-time
Potato Inspection Staff. 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 2022 to FY 2025, pay went down 56% while consumer prices went up 13%. After inflation, pay is down 61% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025 | $17,442 | −69.0% | +2.6% | −69.8% |
| FY 2024 | $56,297 | +1.6% | +3.3% | −1.7% |
| FY 2023 | $55,434 | +41.4% | +6.3% | +33.0% |
| FY 2022 | $39,211 | — | — | — |
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 2025 · Plant Industry Inspector 1
Paid more than 50% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $15,945.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
4 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Agriculture Dept Potato Inspection Staff | Plant Industry Inspector 1 Full-time · left during year | Polk | $29.24 /hr | $170 | $17,442 |
| 2024 | Agriculture Dept Potato Inspection Staff | Plant Industry Inspector 1 Full-time | Polk | $27.13 /hr | $282 | $56,297 |
| 2023 | Agriculture Dept Potato Inspection Staff | Plant Industry Inspector 1 Full-time | Polk | $24.94 /hr | $1,932 | $55,434 |
| 2022 | Agriculture Dept Potato Inspection Staff | Plant Industry Inspector 1 Full-time | — | $23.75 /hr | $1,211 | $39,211 |
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 Agriculture Dept
FY 2025, amount paid
- Vaubel, Andrea Fetherston$178,228Deputy Commr Agriculture
- Petersen, Thomas E.$174,262Commissioner-Agriculture
- VanRyswyk, William S$160,235Hydrologist 4
- Bailey, Patrice$158,879Asst Commr Agriculture
- Kjeseth, Peder Leif$158,879Asst Commr Agriculture
- Sis, Julie A$158,565Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Peck, Justin$150,663Management Analyst 3
- Spanier, Douglas P$149,455General Counsel 1
Highest paid as Plant Industry Inspector 1
FY 2025, amount paid
- Ingram, Jacorey$53,961Agriculture Dept
- Honetschlager, John Todd$53,065Agriculture Dept
- Bruess, Luke$30,207Agriculture Dept
- BernickLangworthy, Samuel$14,447Agriculture Dept
- Estebo, Steven Allen$11,514Agriculture Dept
- Schafer, Bradley Allen$10,054Agriculture Dept
- shaw, paul$9,943Agriculture Dept