Ramsey County, Minnesota / Social Services

Agency file

Social Services

Source file: Ramsey County, Minnesota — Employee Compensation / ingested Jun 19, 2026

The Social Services delivers health and social services — programs such as Medicaid, public assistance, child welfare, and support for aging and disabled residents.

In 2025, this agency had 871 employees with median total compensation of $87,862; the highest distinct record was $231,004.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $67.5M
Employees: 871
Median total: $87,862
Highest record: $231,004

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$78$140,073+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 871 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($87,862) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $71,397 (92%)
Overtime — $4,641 (6%)
Other — $1,404 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$17,638

$56,708

$87,862

$103,651

$114,650

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $114,650 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $17,638. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Social Worker Senior

244 · $96,213

Residential Counselor

98 · $63,573

Social Worker

52 · $51,524

Social Worker Principal

43 · $109,198

Child Protection Worker

43 · $74,245

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 5 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2021	$71.9M —	1,090 —	$68,119 —
2022	$52.7M ▼ 26.7%	704 ▼ 35.4%	$81,977 ▲ 20.3%
2023	$53.3M ▲ 1.1%	733 ▲ 4.1%	$83,264 ▲ 1.6%
2024	$60.1M ▲ 12.8%	829 ▲ 13.1%	$84,215 ▲ 1.1%
2025	$67.5M ▲ 12.2%	871 ▲ 5.1%	$87,862 ▲ 4.3%

Record list

Employees

Page 2

Aaron Strong

Social Worker 4/Social Services

2024 total comp

$84,465

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $67,069
Overtime: $295
Other pay: $17,101
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,465
Hourly rate: $50
Hire date: 2015-07-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Sup
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/CPIntakeScreening
Earn Code: 172
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Terminated
Termination Date: Aug 9, 2024

Aaron Strong holds the role of Social Worker 4 at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $84,465. Their bargaining unit is Sup.

Tatiana Kerestesh

Social Worker 4/Social Services

2021 total comp

$84,372

Base pay: $83,718
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $654
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,372
Hourly rate: $44
Hire date: 2020-01-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Ph
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: CHS/Svcs/SSD/Admin
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Tatiana Kerestesh holds the role of Social Worker 4 at Social Services. They have served since 2020 (about a year) as a full-time employee. In 2021, their total compensation was $84,372. Their bargaining unit is Ph.

Deborah Strasser

Social Worker Senior/Social Services

2025 total comp

$84,211

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $84,211
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,211
Hourly rate: $50
Hire date: 2006-04-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/MnChoices/Assessment4
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Deborah Strasser is a Social Worker Senior at Social Services within Health and Wellness. They have served since 2006 (about 19 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,211. They are represented by Chs.

Cecilia Perez

Social Worker Senior/Social Services

2025 total comp

$84,166

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $81,904
Overtime: $2,262
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,166
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2018-01-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/Mother'sFirst
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Cecilia Perez holds the role of Social Worker Senior at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 7 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $84,166. Union affiliation: Chs.

Tenzin Dolsel

Mental Health Supervisor/Social Services

2025 total comp

$84,165

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $84,165
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,165
Hourly rate: $48
Hire date: 2020-03-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Sup
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/MHC/WelcomeCenter&Ther
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Tenzin Dolsel works as a Mental Health Supervisor for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2020, they have about 5 years of service as a full-time employee. Tenzin earned $84,165 in 2025. They are represented by Sup.

Laurel Nicholson

Clerk 4/Social Services

2024 total comp

$84,086

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $79,181
Overtime: $4,780
Other pay: $125
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,086
Hourly rate: $38
Hire date: 1990-10-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/ADS/WaiverMngmUnit
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Laurel Nicholson serves as a Clerk 4 within Health and Wellness. They have served since 1990 (about 34 years), working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $84,086. They are represented by Chs.

Jo Schwantes

Case Aide/Social Services

2025 total comp

$84,013

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $70,096
Overtime: $13,917
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,013
Hourly rate: $34
Hire date: 1999-03-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/ADS/CSGProgram
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Jo Schwantes holds the role of Case Aide at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $84,013. They are represented by Chs.

Christopher Hurla

Human Services Manager/Social Services

2022 total comp

$83,918

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $63,245
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,673
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,918
Hourly rate: $51
Hire date: 2017-01-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Unr
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/Admin/CFSMngm
Earn Code: 111
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Terminated
Termination Date: Jul 15, 2022

Christopher Hurla holds the role of Human Services Manager at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 5 years as a full-time employee. In 2022, their total compensation was $83,918. Union affiliation: Unr.

Stephanie Tofte

Senior Child Protection Worker/Social Services

2023 total comp

$83,855

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $83,855
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,855
Hourly rate: $42
Hire date: 2018-06-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/Case Management3
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Stephanie Tofte holds the role of Senior Child Protection Worker at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 5 years as a full-time employee. In 2023, their total compensation was $83,855. Their bargaining unit is Chs.

Eric Praml

Residential Counselor/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,654

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $62,634
Overtime: $17,280
Other pay: $3,739
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,654
Hourly rate: $31
Hire date: 1987-02-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Lor
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: LakeOwasso/ResidntLvg
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Eric Praml is a Residential Counselor at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 1987, they have about 38 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $83,654. Union affiliation: Lor.

Ibrahim Sheikh

Social Worker 3/Social Services

2023 total comp

$83,528

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $83,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $264
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,528
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2015-11-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/MnChoices/Assessment4
Earn Code: 705
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Ibrahim Sheikh is a Social Worker 3 at Social Services within Health and Wellness. They have served since 2015 (about 8 years), working full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $83,528. Union affiliation: Chs.

Matthew Terry

Social Worker Senior/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,451

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $83,451
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,451
Hourly rate: $41
Hire date: 2020-11-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/AdultSup/AdultProt
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Matthew Terry serves as a Social Worker Senior within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2020, they have about 5 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $83,451. They are represented by Chs.

Connie Mckee

Financial Worker 3/Social Services

2021 total comp

$83,359

Base pay: $77,007
Overtime: $6,352
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,359
Hourly rate: $37
Hire date: 1989-12-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: CHS/Svcs/Intake/FamIntake2
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Connie Mckee holds the role of Financial Worker 3 at Social Services. Hired in 1989, they have about 32 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2021, their total compensation was $83,359. They are represented by Chs.

Michelle Eromosele

Residential Counselor/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,307

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $62,600
Overtime: $18,726
Other pay: $1,981
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,307
Hourly rate: $31
Hire date: 1992-11-30
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Lor
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: LakeOwasso/ResidntLvg
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Michelle Eromosele works as a Residential Counselor for Social Services within Health and Wellness. They have served since 1992 (about 33 years) as a full-time employee. Michelle earned $83,307 in 2025. Union affiliation: Lor.

Pakou Chang

Social Worker 3/Social Services

2023 total comp

$83,264

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $83,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,264
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2016-12-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: Ssd/Cfs/Psop
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Pakou Chang serves as a Social Worker 3 within Health and Wellness. They have served since 2016 (about 7 years), working full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $83,264. They are represented by Chs.

Michelle Hart-Chavarria

Financial Assistance Supervisor/Social Services

2021 total comp

$83,240

Base pay: $83,240
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,240
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2000-02-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Unr
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: CHS/Svcs/IMD/AdultFacility
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Michelle Hart-Chavarria is a Financial Assistance Supervisor at Social Services. They have served since 2000 (about 21 years), working full-time. 2021 total compensation came to $83,240. Union affiliation: Unr.

Rhoda Wathum Ocama

Social Worker 3/Social Services

2023 total comp

$83,190

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $66,907
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,283
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,190
Hourly rate: $44
Hire date: 1995-03-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/ADS/CaseManagement5
Earn Code: 905
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Retired
Termination Date: Aug 31, 2023

Rhoda Wathum Ocama works as a Social Worker 3 for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 1995, they have about 28 years of service as a full-time employee. Rhoda earned $83,190 in 2023. They are represented by Chs.

Montanay Adams

Child Protection Worker/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,172

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $72,548
Overtime: $10,624
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,172
Hourly rate: $38
Hire date: 2023-04-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/InvestDiffResponse3
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Montanay Adams is a Child Protection Worker at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $83,172. Union affiliation: Chs.

Rahma Farah

Child Protection Worker/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,129

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $79,096
Overtime: $582
Other pay: $3,451
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,129
Hourly rate: $43
Hire date: 2024-10-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/Case Management3
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Terminated
Termination Date: Oct 24, 2025

Rahma Farah works as a Child Protection Worker for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. Rahma earned $83,129 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Chs.

Dean Miller

Mental Health Practitioner/Social Services

2025 total comp

$83,027

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $82,708
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $319
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,027
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2016-12-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/Crisis/AdultStab
Earn Code: 734
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Dean Miller holds the role of Mental Health Practitioner at Social Services within Health and Wellness. They have served since 2016 (about 9 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $83,027. Union affiliation: Chs.

Laurel Nicholson

Administrative Assistant Senior/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,867

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $81,628
Overtime: $1,239
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,867
Hourly rate: $39
Hire date: 1990-10-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/ADS/WaiverMngmUnit
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Laurel Nicholson is a Administrative Assistant Senior at Social Services within Health and Wellness. They have served since 1990 (about 35 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $82,867. They are represented by Chs.

Suzanne Tesch

Financial Worker 3/Social Services

2021 total comp

$82,736

Base pay: $75,981
Overtime: $6,316
Other pay: $439
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,736
Hourly rate: $37
Hire date: 1998-08-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: CHS/Svcs/Intake/FamIntake2
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Suzanne Tesch serves as a Financial Worker 3. They have served since 1998 (about 23 years), working full-time. Their 2021 pay totaled $82,736. They are represented by Chs.

Jenny Xiong

Social Worker/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,708

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $82,708
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,708
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2022-09-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/MnChoices/Assessment1
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Jenny Xiong works as a Social Worker for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. Jenny earned $82,708 in 2025. Union affiliation: Chs.

Martha Israel

Residential Counselor/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,688

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $54,408
Overtime: $21,824
Other pay: $6,455
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,688
Hourly rate: $27
Hire date: 2005-03-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Lor
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: LakeOwasso/ResidntLvg
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Martha Israel holds the role of Residential Counselor at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,688. Union affiliation: Lor.

Heather D. Kurth

Office Manager/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,642

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $82,642
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,642
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2005-04-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Sup
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/Admin/Intern
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Heather D. Kurth serves as a Office Manager within Health and Wellness. They have served since 2005 (about 20 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,642. Union affiliation: Sup.

Estelle Deloia

Social Worker Senior/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,231

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $81,353
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $878
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,231
Hourly rate: $41
Hire date: 2016-04-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/AdultSup/AdultProt
Earn Code: 811
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Estelle Deloia serves as a Social Worker Senior within Health and Wellness. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,231. Union affiliation: Chs.

Patricia Gustafson

Case Aide/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,179

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $71,681
Overtime: $9,625
Other pay: $873
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,179
Hourly rate: $35
Hire date: 1988-07-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/AS/ADS/CaseManagement2
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Patricia Gustafson is a Case Aide at Social Services within Health and Wellness. Hired in 1988, they have about 37 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $82,179. They are represented by Chs.

Kerlien Yang

Child Protection Worker/Social Services

2025 total comp

$82,031

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $81,205
Overtime: $326
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,031
Hourly rate: $40
Hire date: 2023-08-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/InvestDiffResponse2
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Terminated
Termination Date: Dec 5, 2025

Kerlien Yang works as a Child Protection Worker for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years as a full-time employee. Kerlien earned $82,031 in 2025. They are represented by Chs.

Andrea Omlid

Mental Health Professional/Social Services

2021 total comp

$81,900

Base pay: $79,717
Overtime: $923
Other pay: $1,260
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,900
Hourly rate: $39
Hire date: 2019-07-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: CHS/Svcs/AdultDetentionCenter
Earn Code: 102
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

At Social Services, Andrea Omlid serves as a Mental Health Professional. Hired in 2019, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. Their 2021 pay totaled $81,900. Union affiliation: Chs.

Mai Cua Yang

Child Protection Worker/Social Services

2024 total comp

$81,818

Sub-department: Health and Wellness
Base pay: $81,818
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,818
Hourly rate: $39
Hire date: 2022-08-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Chs
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Dept Name 2: SSD/CFS/InvestDiffResponse2
Empl Record: 0
Pay Status: Active

Mai Cua Yang works as a Child Protection Worker for Social Services within Health and Wellness. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 2 years as a full-time employee. Mai earned $81,818 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Chs.