Wenkel, Benjamin J
Engineer PrincPollution Control AgencyRamsey CountyFull-time
IND AP Air Permits Unit 2. 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 2013 to FY 2026, pay went up 301% while consumer prices went up 42%. After inflation, pay is up 183% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $131,681 | +3.9% | +3.1% | +0.8% |
| FY 2025 | $126,678 | +10.6% | +2.6% | +7.7% |
| FY 2024 | $114,577 | +3.5% | +3.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2023 | $110,698 | +18.9% | +6.3% | +11.9% |
| FY 2022 | $93,113 | +7.6% | +7.2% | +0.4% |
| FY 2021 | $86,518 | +10.6% | +2.3% | +8.1% |
| FY 2020 | $78,231 | +4.8% | +1.6% | +3.2% |
| FY 2019 | $74,624 | +7.4% | +2.1% | +5.2% |
| FY 2018 | $69,472 | +4.2% | +2.3% | +1.9% |
| FY 2017 | $66,684 | +14.9% | +1.8% | +12.8% |
| FY 2016 | $58,051 | +5.5% | +0.7% | +4.8% |
| FY 2015 | $55,028 | +8.9% | +0.7% | +8.1% |
| FY 2014 | $50,514 | +54.0% | +1.6% | +51.6% |
| FY 2013 | $32,803 | — | — | — |
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 · Engineer Princ
Paid more than 77% of the 240 people with this job title that year. The median was $131,181.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
14 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Princ Full-time | Ramsey | $63.10 /hr | — | $131,681 |
| 2025 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Princ Full-time | Ramsey | $62.17 /hr | — | $126,678 |
| 2024 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Princ Full-time | Ramsey | $55.33 /hr | — | $114,577 |
| 2023 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Princ Full-time | Ramsey | $50.47 /hr | — | $110,698 |
| 2022 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Princ Full-time | Ramsey | $46.21 /hr | — | $93,113 |
| 2021 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $41.13 /hr | $3,205 | $86,518 |
| 2020 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $38.60 /hr | — | $78,231 |
| 2019 | Pollution Control Agency IND AQ Permits Unit 5 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $36.33 /hr | — | $74,624 |
| 2018 | Pollution Control Agency IND Air Quality Permits Unit 4 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $34.19 /hr | $206 | $69,472 |
| 2017 | Pollution Control Agency IND Air Quality Permits Unit 4 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $32.24 /hr | — | $66,684 |
| 2016 | Pollution Control Agency IND Air Quality Permits Unit 4 | Engineer Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $29.52 /hr | $237 | $58,051 |
| 2015 | Pollution Control Agency IND Air Quality Permits Unit 4 | Engineer 2 Graduate Full-time | Ramsey | $26.29 /hr | $1,032 | $55,028 |
| 2014 | Pollution Control Agency IND Air Quality Permits Unit 4 | Engineer 2 Graduate Full-time | Ramsey | $24.56 /hr | — | $50,514 |
| 2013 | Pollution Control Agency IND AP Air Permits Unit 2 | Engineer 2 Graduate Full-time | Ramsey | $22.93 /hr | — | $32,803 |
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 Engineer Princ
FY 2026, amount paid
- Swanson, Tim Richard$154,404Transportation Dept
- Kern, Gregory A$151,863Transportation Dept
- Henningsgaard, Bruce P$147,263Pollution Control Agency
- Williams, Robert J$145,712Transportation Dept
- Ferrall, Zachary David$142,401Transportation Dept
- Brewer, Rashmi Shirole$139,991Transportation Dept
- Ollrich, Nicklaus A$139,921Transportation Dept
- Kowski, Michael P$138,776Transportation Dept