Thinking about asking your boss for a raise? Here’s a little ammunition. For the past few months, we’ve indulged our inner auditors, sifting the numbers in financial documents and corporate reports with the intent of uncovering the earnings—sometimes annual, sometimes hourly—of Minnesota workers from all walks of life, from the CEO leading Target to the instructor leading your yoga class. On the following pages are the results of a sweeping salary survey—a project so complex that the magazine hasn’t undertaken it since 2008. The figures are presented in a simple format, but there are, of course, some surprises: the state’s most successful pro athlete last year, for example, made about as much as a high-school teacher. (Who is it? Hint: she plays for the Lynx.) Also, area locksmiths’ wages have risen 27 percent since the start of the recession. That’s right. Locksmiths.
Feeling undervalued yet? Wait till you get through the rest of the numbers.
So how did we get this information, anyway?
Sometimes we just asked. Seriously. Find a disgruntled barista, and she’ll happily gripe about how little she makes. E-mail a Twin Cities mayor, legally obligated as a public employee to disclose his salary, and he’ll hit you back with a frank response. (Thanks, R.T.!) But researching the big wigs gets trickier. The CEOs. The artistic directors. The nonprofit execs. For those, we used our journalistic smarts, pouring over public SEC filings, court records, and 990 tax forms. In a pinch, we turned to median wages furnished by Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development and by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In all cases, we went with the data most recently available, usually from 2010 or 2011. However, a few numbers do date back to 2009.
SHUT IT DOWN!
62 Number of senators and representatives in the 201-member Minnesota Legislature who declined pay during the state government shutdown in July 2011
18 Number of legislators who opted to accept pay retroactively
$1,600 Wages lost by each
THE RULING CLASS
Even in Minnesota’s 10 largest cities, you don’t get rich running for mayor
1. Minneapolis Population: 382,578 | 6. Plymouth Population: 81,803 |
2. St. Paul Population: 285,068 | 7. Brooklyn Park Population: 75,758 |
3. Rochester Population: 106,769 | 8. St. Cloud Population: 65,842 |
4. Duluth Population: 86,265 | 9. Eagan Population: 64,206 |
5. Bloomington Population: 82,893 | 10. Woodbury Population: 61,961 |
PRICE CHECK
Twin Cities | New York | St. Louis | Seattle | |
| 2-percent milk, 1 gallon | $2.69 | $3.69 | $3.29 | $2.69 |
| Saturday night movie ticket | $10 | $13 | $9 | $11 |
| Pack of Camel Lights | $6.50 | $14 | $4.89 | $9.48 |
| Starbucks Vanilla Latte, 12 ounce | $3.25 | $3.97 | $3.45 | $3 |
| Big Mac | $3.29 | $3.99 | $3.39 | $4.09 |
| Unleaded gasoline, one gallon | $3.50 | $3.69 | $3.29 | $3.79 |
| TOTAL | $29.23 | $42.34 | $27.31 | $34.05 |
| Your Twin Cities Dollar is Worth | $1 | 69¢ | $1.07 | 86¢ |
POSTAGE RATES
Median Wage Twin Cities $26.25 — 23-percent increase since 2007
BE OUR GUEST
How many museum-goers does it take to pay a director’s salary?
< = 1,000 VISITORS
Science Museum of Minnesota President: Eric Jolly | Minnesota Children’s Museum President: Dianne Krizan |
Walker Art Center Director: Olga Viso | American Swedish Institute |
Minneapolis Institute of Arts Director: Kaywin Feldman |
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
It depends on where you work
$2.33 Minimum wage for tipped servers in Wisconsin
$7.25 Minimum wage for tipped servers in Minnesota, the only state in the Midwest—and one of only seven states nationwide—not to enforce a “tip penalty” on its servers
EXTRA POINTS
A random sample of Gophers football coach Jerry Kill’s performance-based incentives
National Championship: $50,000
Big Ten Championship: $150,000
Big Ten Divisional Championship: $100,000
Named National Coach of the Year: $100,000
Named Conference Coach of the Year: $25,000
Five Big Ten wins: $50,000
Each addition Big Ten win after the fifth: $25,000
Graduation success rate of players equal to or
greater than that of the overall student body: $100,000
PATHOLOGY OF A PAYCHECK
How we spend it, and how it makes us feel
The Psychotherapist – 62, married, no children at home
Salary: $80,000 per year
Mortgage: $1,800 per month
Food budget: $200–$250 per month, Oxendale’s Market, Rainbow Foods
Credit-card bill: $1,800 per month, paid in full
Monthly savings: $1,400 in retirement, IRA, and investments
Most expensive meal you ate in a restaurant in the last month: True Thai, $20 per person
What, if anything, you’re currently saving for: Big spring trip, either to Mexico or Florida
An indulgence you do not feel guilty about: Season tickets to the Guthrie. Also, getting an excellent haircut.
Amount you spent on holiday gifts: I would say about $700. We like to give services, like a morning of yard work, or babysitting, or tickets to plays.
Baseline salary you would need to feel comfortable: I am not stressed about my income.
Princeton University recently conducted a study in which they pinpointed an annual income at which happiness peaks. What would you guess this salary to be? $200,000*
The Museum Professional – 28, single, no kids
Salary: $34,000 per year
Rent: $525 per month
Food budget: $150 per month, Rainbow, Cub, CSA
Credit-card consolidation loan: $108 per month
Monthly savings: “I rarely have enough money to put in
savings.”
What, if anything, you’re currently saving for: Paying off my credit-card debt.
If you’ve cut back—due to the recession or otherwise—what specific sacrifices have you made? I only buy off-brand packaged food. I’ve cut back on going out to eat or drink. I don’t buy new clothes, only thrift-store duds.
Biggest unplanned expense for 2011: $800 for car repairs
An indulgence you do not feel guilty about: Paying more rent for my own place with no roommates.
An indulgence you do feel guilty about: Owning a car
Baseline salary you would need to feel comfortable: $50,000/year
Princeton University recently conducted a study in which they pinpointed an annual income at which happiness peaks. What would you guess this salary to be? $100,000*
The Coffee-Shop Server – 34, single, no kids
Salary: $7.25 per hour plus tips (about $11–$12 per hour)
Rent: $670 per month
Food budget: $200–$300 per month, The Wedge, Seward Co-op
Student loan: $290 per month
Credit-card bill: “I don’t use a credit card.”
Monthly health insurance payment: I’m on Medical Assistance. It’s free. I only pay $1 for co-pays and prescriptions. I also do yoga about eight times a month at a nonprofit studio. Classes are sliding scale. I pay $10 per visit.
One thing you would never scrimp on: Body-care products. I will always choose an $8 bottle of paraben-free shampoo over a cheap bottle of Suave. Also, beer. I always buy good, hoppy beer.
Biggest planned expense for 2011: Rent. I just moved into a one-bedroom after sharing an apartment for five years.
Baseline salary you would need to feel comfortable: $45,000/year
Princeton University recently conducted a study in which they pinpointed an annual income at which happiness peaks. What would you guess this salary to be? $125,000*
The Registered Nurse – 34, married, two kids under 5
Salary: $140,000 per year $40,000 per year †
Household income: $140,000 per year
Mortgage + utilities: $3,000 per month
Food budget: $500 at Costco, Rainbow, Target
Student loan: $400 per month
Monthly savings: $200–$300 per month
Daycare: $1,700 per month (2 kids, 3 days per week)
Monthly Credit-card bill: $4,000. All bills and expenses are put on a credit card and paid off monthly.
Most expensive meal you ate in a restaurant last month: Axel’s Bonfire Grill, $65
One thing you would never scrimp on: Remodeling projects. Do it nice the first time!
An indulgence you do not feel guilty about: Traveling.
An indulgence you do feel guilty about: Buying coffee from a coffee shop.
Amount you spent on holiday gifts: $500
Baseline salary you would need to feel comfortable: $200,000/year
Princeton University recently conducted a complex study in which they pinpointed an annual income at which happiness peaks. What would you guess this salary to be? $100,000*
* The study found that happiness peaks at $75,000 per year.
† Editor’s Note: In the initial article, the registered nurse’s annual salary was mistakenly reported as $140,000. Her actual annual salary is $40,000. Her household income is $140,000.
FROZEN!
Public-school salaries throughout the state were hit with a 2-year wage freeze in January 2011
A FINANCIAL EDUCATION
At the state’s top-ranked liberal-arts colleges, just a few tuition checks pay the president
< = 1 STUDENT
1. Carleton College President: Steven J. Poskanzer | 2. Macalester College President: Brian Rosenberg |
3. St. Olaf College President: David R. Anderson |
FOR THE LOOK OF THE GAME
Vikings cheerleaders don’t get paid much. But here’s what they do get:
• Two season tickets
• Sponsorships for free hair cuts and coloring
• Free game parking
• Free make-up kits
• Travel opportunities
• Free gym memberships
• Free medical spa treatments
• Free tanning services
• Professional photo sessions
• Team clothing and apparel
RECESSION PROOF?
-58% Job vacancies for registered nurses in Minnesota since 2005
+22% Newly certified registered nurses in Minnesota since 2005
THE SALARIES
Public Service
Mark Dayton Governor | Steven Bosacker City Coordinator | Lois Langer Thompson Director |
Michele Bachmann U.S. House Representative | Steve Maki MSFC Facilities | Brian Lamb General Manager |
Tim Dolan Police Chief | Lisa Goodman City Councilmember, Ward 7 | Linda Berglin State Senator |
Andrew Smith Police Lieutenant | Al Franken U.S. Senator | John Erwin Commissioner |
Janna M. Hottinger Executive Assistant to Mayor R.T. Rybak | Mark Ritchie Secretary of State | Seasonal Park Attendant Lebanon Hills Visitor Center |
Dave Larson Mayor | Mike Opat Hennepin County Commissioner, 1st District | Paul Aasen Commissioner |
Business & Labor
James Cracchiola CEO | Charlie Weaver Executive Director | First-year Bank Teller Wells Fargo |
Ken Powell CEO | Brian Dunn CEO | Eliot Seide Executive Director |
Jeffrey Ettinger CEO | First-year Home Loan Underwriter U.S. Bancorp | Tax Preparer Minneapolis |
Arts & Culture
Joe Dowling Artistic Director | Carla McGrath Executive Director | Ranee Ramaswamy Artistic Director |
Steve Bader Finance Director | Peter Brosius Artistic Director | John Kelsch Executive Director |
Chorus Member The Guthrie’s | John Becker Executive Director | Jack Lavoy Executive Director |
Steven Kent Lockwood Executive Director | Steve Raymer Managing Director | Lee Ehmke Director |
Jack Reuler Artistic Director | Ben Haywood Executive Director | Steven Estebo Avian Zoologist |
Bain Boehlke Artistic Director | Susana Di Palma Artistic Director | Catherine Cramer Director of Development |
Darsie Alexander Senior Curator | Linda Andrews Artistic Director | Historical Interpreter Fort Snelling |
Sarah Stauder Executive Director | Matthew Janczewski Artistic Director |
Music
Michael Henson President/CEO | Laura Littleford Contract Grant Writer | Andre Heywood Artistic Director |
Jeff Couture Finance Director | Rob Simonds Executive Director | Amir Kats Artistic Director |
Ronald Thomas Principal Cellist | Guitar Instructor Private lessons | Kathleen Van Bergen Executive Director |
John Nuechterlein President and CEO | Cover Band Bassist In2ition | Stan Hill Artistic Director |
Sandy Nadeau Executive Director | Mark S. Johnson Artistic Director |
Health and Medicine
Stephen Hemsley CEO | Laura Littleford Contract Grant Writer | Yoga Instructor CorePower |
Barbara Knoll, MD Radiologist | Richard L. Ehman, MD Radiologist | Kathleen Van Bergen Executive Director |
Art Gonzalez CEO | John H. Noseworthy CEO | Drug-Study Volunteer Prism Research, |
Gwedolyn Velez Executive Director | Joseph Lee Child Psychiatrist |
Education
Eric Kaler President | Edward Kim Head of School | Teacher, 15 years of |
Adjunct Instructor University of Minnesota, | John C. Gulla Head of School | Bus Driver, 2–4 years experience Edina Public Schools |
Adjunct Instructor University of Minnesota, College of Design | Lucretia Wells Assistant Head of School | Gene P. Boyle Principal |
James Barnes III President | First-Year Teacher Edina Public Schools | Speech Language Pathologist, |
Kevin Gilligan CEO | First-Year Teacher St. Paul Public Schools | GMAT Instructor Manhattan GMAT |
Jay Coogan President | Christina Selander Bouzouina Executive Director | Chess Tutor Youth Enrichment League |
Randall Clegg Superintendent | Teacher,15 years of |
Sports
Jerry Kill Head Coach | Ricky Rubio Rookie Forward | Mohammed Trafeh Winner |
Donovan McNabb Quarterback | Jason Kubel Outfielder | Head Coach Eastview Juniors |
Brett Favre Quarterback | Joe Mauer Catcher | High-School Hockey Referee Varsity Level |
Cheerleader Minnesota Vikings | John Aronson Sales Director/Fundraiser | College Hockey Referee Division III |
Service
First-year Barista Starbucks | Gardening Crew Leader Minneapolis | Full-time Live-in Nanny |
Sandwich Artist Jimmy John’s | Heidi Govednik Hair Stylist | Janitor Senior Care Facility, |
Line Cook McHugh’s Public House, Savage | Beer Vendor Target Field | Pizza Deliverer Angeno’s, Maple Grove |
Causes
John Andrews CEO | Sarah A. Stoesz President/CEO | Daniel Wordsworth Executive Director |
Mitchell B. Pearlstein Executive Director | Janelle Dixon President/CEO | Jan Plimpton Executive Director |
Steve Cramer Executive Director | George Klauser CEO | Douglas Johnson Executive Director |
Carol Ball Medical Director | Julie Manworren Executive Director | Nicole Matthews Executive Director |
Deborah Ferry VP of Retail Operations | L. Kelley Lindquist President | Timothy Benz Vice President, Development and Communications |
Law
Lorie Gildae Chief Justice | Nancy J. Logering Judge, 10th Judicial District | David Lund Executive Director |
Helen M. Meyer Associate Justice | Judicial Law Clerk Minneapolis | Eric Janus President and Dean |
Pat Kittridge Chief Public Defender | Court Reporter Minneapolis | Michael Paulsen Law Professor |
Roger M. Klapnake Associate Judge | Paralegal Minneapolis | Thomas Mengler Dean, Law School |
Timothy Bloomquist Chief Judge, 10th Judicial District | Barbara Deneen Assistant Public Defender |
Media
Senior Editor Metro Magazine | Corey Anderson Web Editor | Columnist Star Tribune |
Fiona McCrae Director & Publisher | James Pagliarini President and CEO | Jeff Passolt Anchor |
Daniel J. Slager Publisher & CEO | Janis Lane-Ewart Executive Director | Mary Turck Editor |
Joel Cramer Editor and CEO | Assignment Desk Editor WCCO-TV | Jenny Masters-Wolfe Senior Vice President, Human Resources |
Susan Albright Managing Editor | First-Year Reporter Star Tribune |
