Minnesota / Explore Minnesota Tourism

Agency file

Explore Minnesota Tourism

Source file: Minnesota — State Employee Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Explore Minnesota Tourism is a government agency that delivers public services and programs within its jurisdiction.

In 2025, this agency had 47 employees with median total compensation of $74,697; the highest distinct record was $156,794.

Year: 2025
Employees: 47
Median total: $74,697
Highest record: $156,794

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$11,968$144,193+

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 47 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($74,697) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $72,996 (99%)
Overtime — $123 (0%)
Other — $720 (1%)
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

$21,826

$45,317

$74,697

$97,734

$125,092

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $125,092 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $21,826. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Customer Services Specialist

8 · $22,978

Communications Supervisor

3 · $117,373

Communications Specialist 3

3 · $91,553

Communications Specialist 2

3 · $73,959

Tourism Travel Information Center Sup

3 · $70,986

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.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 2

Joseph Helget

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$45,487

Sub-department: Tourism-St Croix
Base pay: $45,195
Overtime: $293
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,487
Hire date: 2015-11-20
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Washington

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Explore Minnesota Tourism, Joseph Helget serves as a Customer Services Specialist within Tourism-St Croix. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years, working part-time, 0.9 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $45,487. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Stephen Sarvi

Customer Services Specialist Int/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$45,317

Sub-department: Tourism-Dresbach
Base pay: $44,605
Overtime: $712
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,317
Hire date: 2022-08-17
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.8
Work county: Houston

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Explore Minnesota Tourism, Stephen Sarvi serves as a Customer Services Specialist Int within Tourism-Dresbach. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working part-time, 0.8 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $45,317. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Megan Jahnke

Customer Services Specialist Int/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$39,953

Sub-department: Tourism-Beaver Creek
Base pay: $39,347
Overtime: $606
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,953
Hire date: 2023-08-31
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.8
Work county: Rock

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Megan Jahnke holds the role of Customer Services Specialist Int at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Beaver Creek. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a part-time, 0.8 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $39,953. They are represented by Clerical.

Benjamin Vuicich

Customer Services Specialist Int/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$39,039

Sub-department: Tourism-Moorhead
Base pay: $38,475
Overtime: $563
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,039
Hire date: 2022-06-08
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.8
Work county: Clay

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Explore Minnesota Tourism, Benjamin Vuicich serves as a Customer Services Specialist Int within Tourism-Moorhead. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working part-time, 0.8 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $39,039. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Riley Hallaway

Communications Specialist 2/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$29,526

Sub-department: Tourism-Marketing Coordination
Base pay: $29,031
Overtime: $495
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $29,526
Hire date: 2025-01-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Riley Hallaway holds the role of Communications Specialist 2 at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Marketing Coordination. Their tenure dates to 2025, under a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $29,526. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Gloria Debenedet

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$24,472

Sub-department: Tourism-Moorhead
Base pay: $24,194
Overtime: $278
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,472
Hire date: 2023-06-22
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Clay

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Explore Minnesota Tourism, Gloria Debenedet serves as a Customer Services Specialist within Tourism-Moorhead. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working part-time, 0.5 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $24,472. They are represented by Clerical.

Sally Lundholm

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$24,295

Sub-department: Tourism-Thompson Hill
Base pay: $23,938
Overtime: $357
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,295
Hire date: 2023-06-08
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Sally Lundholm holds the role of Customer Services Specialist at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Thompson Hill. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $24,295. Union affiliation: Clerical.

Robin Allen

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$24,129

Sub-department: Tourism-Thompson Hill
Base pay: $23,547
Overtime: $583
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,129
Hire date: 2023-06-28
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Robin Allen is a Customer Services Specialist at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Thompson Hill. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working part-time, 0.5 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $24,129. They are represented by Clerical.

Janice Eppler

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$21,826

Sub-department: Tourism-Beaver Creek
Base pay: $21,293
Overtime: $533
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $21,826
Hire date: 2016-06-02
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.6
Work county: Rock

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Janice Eppler is a Customer Services Specialist at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Beaver Creek. They have served since 2016 (about 9 years), working part-time, 0.6 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $21,826. They are represented by Clerical.

Jenny Mckinley

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$21,153

Sub-department: Tourism-Albert Lea
Base pay: $20,607
Overtime: $546
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $21,153
Hire date: 2024-08-29
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Freeborn

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jenny Mckinley works as a Customer Services Specialist for Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Albert Lea. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Jenny earned $21,153 in 2025. They are represented by Clerical.

Cynthia Calderon

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2024 total comp

$20,375

Sub-department: Tourism-Albert Lea
Base pay: $19,829
Overtime: $546
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $20,375
Hire date: 2023-08-23
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 58
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Freeborn

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Cynthia Calderon holds the role of Customer Services Specialist at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Albert Lea. They have served since 2023 (about a year) as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $20,375. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Ruth Olson

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$18,629

Sub-department: Tourism-Dresbach
Base pay: $18,118
Overtime: $510
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $18,629
Hire date: 2018-07-30
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.4
Work county: Houston

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ruth Olson works as a Customer Services Specialist for Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Dresbach. Hired in 2018, they have about 7 years of service as a part-time, 0.4 FTE employee. Ruth earned $18,629 in 2025. They are represented by Clerical.

Christine Lawton

Management Analyst 2/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$13,155

Sub-department: Digital Strategy Unit
Base pay: $1,437
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,718
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $13,155
Hire date: 1988-09-29
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.75
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Christine Lawton holds the role of Management Analyst 2 at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Digital Strategy Unit. Their tenure dates to 1988, about 37 years as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $13,155. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jeanelle Augustin

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$12,233

Sub-department: Tourism Exec Team
Base pay: $12,233
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,233
Hire date: 2025-05-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jeanelle Augustin holds the role of State Program Administrative Manager Senior at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism Executive Team. Their tenure dates to 2025, under a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $12,233. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Fiona Walkner

Customer Services Specialist/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2025 total comp

$11,968

Sub-department: Tourism-Albert Lea
Base pay: $11,679
Overtime: $289
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $11,968
Hire date: 2024-12-11
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Freeborn

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Fiona Walkner works as a Customer Services Specialist for Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism-Albert Lea. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Fiona earned $11,968 in 2025. They are represented by Clerical.

Allison Nordman

State Program Administrative Intermediate/Explore Minnesota Tourism

2024 total comp

$6,715

Sub-department: Tourism Exec Team
Base pay: $6,683
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $32
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $6,715
Hire date: 2023-02-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: B20
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Allison Nordman is a State Program Administrative Intermediate at Explore Minnesota Tourism within Tourism Executive Team. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $6,715. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.