Thaemert, Paul Thomas
Hydrologist 2Natural Resources DeptOtter Tail CountyFull-time
ECO Waters R1 Southern 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 2014 to FY 2026, pay went up 791% while consumer prices went up 39%. After inflation, pay is up 539% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $80,916 | +5.1% | +3.1% | +1.9% |
| FY 2025 | $76,967 | +19.3% | +2.6% | +16.2% |
| FY 2024 | $64,531 | +11.2% | +3.3% | +7.7% |
| FY 2023 | $58,028 | +11.6% | +6.3% | +5.0% |
| FY 2022 | $52,020 | +7.3% | +7.2% | +0.1% |
| FY 2021 | $48,490 | +5.5% | +2.3% | +3.1% |
| FY 2020 | $45,981 | +5.2% | +1.6% | +3.5% |
| FY 2019 | $43,728 | +3.1% | +2.1% | +1.0% |
| FY 2018 | $42,424 | +6.7% | +2.3% | +4.4% |
| FY 2017 | $39,743 | +10.4% | +1.8% | +8.4% |
| FY 2016 | $36,000 | +149.4% | +0.7% | +147.8% |
| FY 2015 | $14,433 | +58.9% | +0.7% | +57.8% |
| FY 2014 | $9,081 | — | — | — |
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 · Hydrologist 2
Paid more than 39% of the 69 people with this job title that year. The median was $85,892.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
13 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Otter Tail | $39.93 /hr | — | $80,916 |
| 2025 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Otter Tail | $37.98 /hr | — | $76,967 |
| 2024 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters R1 Southern Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Otter Tail | $35.13 /hr | $1,049 | $64,531 |
| 2023 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $26.52 /hr | $925 | $58,028 |
| 2022 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $25.09 /hr | — | $52,020 |
| 2021 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $23.74 /hr | — | $48,490 |
| 2020 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $22.60 /hr | — | $45,981 |
| 2019 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $21.44 /hr | — | $43,728 |
| 2018 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $20.41 /hr | — | $42,424 |
| 2017 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $19.46 /hr | — | $39,743 |
| 2016 | Natural Resources Dept ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3 | Engineering Aide Inter Full-time | Becker | $17.93 /hr | $183 | $36,000 |
| 2015 | Natural Resources Dept PAT-R2GooseberryFalls Staff 4 | Buildings & Grounds Worker Part-time | Lake | $14.86 /hr | $479 | $14,433 |
| 2014 | Natural Resources Dept PAT-R2TettegoucheMaintenance | Buildings & Grounds Worker Part-time | Lake | $13.82 /hr | $456 | $9,081 |
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 Natural Resources Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- Lais, Daniel R$215,649State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Smith, Rodmen E$205,052NR Dir - Enforcement
- Naramore, Barbara Lynn$198,561Deputy Commr Natural Resources
- Strommen, Sarah$197,945Commissioner-Natural Resources
- Lotthammer, Shannon M$186,471Asst Commr NR Operations
- Richards, Jess W$185,409Asst Commr NR Operations
- Meier, Robert H$185,344Asst Commr NR Operations
- Gorecki, Robert Andrew$184,600NR Asst Dir - Enforcement
Highest paid as Hydrologist 2
FY 2026, amount paid
- Emerson, Heather Lynn$94,250Pollution Control Agency
- Hadash, Joseph$93,541Pollution Control Agency
- Pogorelc, James R$93,005Natural Resources Dept
- Heinz, Katherine R$92,472Transportation Dept
- Ryser, Rebecca$92,472Pollution Control Agency
- Ashiamah, Evelyn K$92,471Pollution Control Agency
- Brenegan, Erik Allen$92,471Pollution Control Agency
- Fielding, Ellen Elizabeth$92,471Natural Resources Dept