Vosika, Benjamin Brent
Environmental Specialist 2Pollution Control AgencyCrow Wing CountyFull-time
EAO WM WATERQUALITYMONITORUNIT. 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 2021 to FY 2026, pay went up 20,332% while consumer prices went up 25%. After inflation, pay is up 16,309% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $70,655 | +23.8% | +3.1% | +20.0% |
| FY 2025 | $57,088 | +4.5% | +2.6% | +1.8% |
| FY 2024 | $54,646 | +5.2% | +3.3% | +1.8% |
| FY 2023 | $51,943 | +347.8% | +6.3% | +321.4% |
| FY 2022 | $11,599 | +3,254.2% | +7.2% | +3,029.8% |
| FY 2021 | $346 | — | — | — |
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 · Environmental Specialist 2
Paid more than 77% of the 79 people with this job title that year. The median was $61,803.
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 EAO WM WATERQUALITYMONITORUNIT | Environmental Specialist 2 Full-time | Crow Wing | $32.40 /hr | $3,761 | $70,655 |
| 2025 | Pollution Control Agency EAO WM WATERQUALITYMONITORUNIT | Environmental Specialist 1 Full-time | Crow Wing | $28.82 /hr | $2,060 | $57,088 |
| 2024 | Pollution Control Agency EAO WM WATERQUALITYMONITORUNIT | Environmental Specialist 1 Full-time | Crow Wing | $24.24 /hr | $227 | $54,646 |
| 2023 | Natural Resources Dept Fish-R1 SpireVly HatcheryStaff | NR Tech Fisheries Full-time | Cass | $22.98 /hr | $1,833 | $51,943 |
| 2022 | Pollution Control Agency EAO WM North Bio Monitor Unit | Environmental Specialist 1 Full-time | Crow Wing | $20.91 /hr | $2,204 | $11,599 |
| 2021 | Pollution Control Agency EAO WM South Bio Monitor Unit | Pollution Cont Technician Full-time | Ramsey | $17.29 /hr | — | $346 |
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 Environmental Specialist 2
FY 2026, amount paid
- Piotrowski, Laura$86,130Pollution Control Agency
- Myhra, Medea A$85,328Pollution Control Agency
- Sunderman, Lynn L$84,939Pollution Control Agency
- Chirpich, Wendy Marie$81,656Pollution Control Agency
- Gansen, Peter$81,236Pollution Control Agency
- VanOverbeke, Klayton John$80,744Pollution Control Agency
- Seltz, Owen K$80,131Pollution Control Agency
- Wilde, William P$79,294Pollution Control Agency