Minnesota / Transportation Department / Human Resources Specialist 2

Job-title file

Human Resources Specialist 2

Coordinate and deliver a specific program area, supporting planning, outreach, and daily operations.

18 employees hold this title in Transportation Department. Median total compensation for the role is $82,652, above the department median of $74,811.

Employees: 18
Total payroll: $1.4M
Role median: $82,652
Agency median: $74,811
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$26,874$87,603+

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

How total compensation varies among the 18 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Human Resources Specialist 2 pay vs. Minnesota

Across all employers in Minnesota, the median wage for Human Resources Specialists — about 17,240 people — is $78,760. Transportation Department pays a median base salary of $76,201 for this role, 3% below that figure — about the 46th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Transportation Department sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$50,330

$61,860

$78,760

$100,930

$127,060

Transportation Department median · $76,201

The bar is the range of annual wages for Human Resources Specialists across every employer in Minnesota, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Transportation Department’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Human Resources Specialists — about 912,430 people — is $75,940. Transportation Department’s median base salary is in line withthat national figure, about the 50th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$47,180

$58,610

$75,940

$99,380

$128,720

Transportation Department median · $76,201

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Minnesota range relative to the national one.

Median total compensation for this role at Transportation Department is $76,282, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across Minnesota

Human Resources Specialist 2 is held in 28 Minnesota departments. In Transportation Department, the median of $82,652 ranks #6 of 28.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Children Youth & Families Department

$89,166 · 1

Veterans Affairs Department

$84,952 · 8

Minnesota IT Services

$84,648 · 5

Public Employees Retire Associate

$83,155 · 1

Military Affairs Department

$83,071 · 1

Pollution Control Agency

$81,972 · 3

Labor & Industry Department

$81,955 · 2

Housing Finance Agency

$81,774 · 1

Minnesota Zoological Garden

$81,757 · 3

Administration Department

$81,550 · 2

Commerce Department

$78,900 · 3

Direct Care and Treatment Department

$78,345 · 14

Median total compensation for the Human Resources Specialist 2 role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Human Resources Specialist beyond Minnesota

This role is reported in 14 jurisdictions. In Minnesota, the median of $75,621 ranks #5 of 14. See Human Resources Specialist across all of Minnesota →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

District of Columbia

$98,322 · 165

Chicago Public Schools

$86,470 · 6

$84,938 · 31

$82,400 · 306

$63,731 · 5

$58,904 · 1,145

$47,654 · 7

$45,978 · 18

Median total compensation for comparable Human Resources Specialistroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Debra Tlougan

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$87,926

Sub-department: Human Resources
Base pay: $87,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,926
Hire date: 1990-03-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Debra Tlougan works as a Human Resources Specialist 2 for Transportation Department within Human Resources. Their tenure dates to 1990, about 35 years as a full-time employee. Debra earned $87,926 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Cheryl Utz

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$86,977

Sub-department: HR Management
Base pay: $84,793
Overtime: $551
Other pay: $1,633
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,977
Hire date: 1993-09-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Transportation Department, Cheryl Utz serves as a Human Resources Specialist 2 within HR Management. They have served since 1993 (about 32 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,977. They are represented by Confidential.

Glenn Payton

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$86,426

Sub-department: HR Staffing Team 2
Base pay: $84,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,633
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,426
Hire date: 1978-09-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Glenn Payton is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within HR Staffing Team 2. Their tenure dates to 1978, about 47 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,426. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Diana Kroska

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$84,878

Sub-department: Duluth Human Resources
Base pay: $84,796
Overtime: $82
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,878
Hire date: 2019-02-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Diana Kroska works as a Human Resources Specialist 2 for Transportation Department within Duluth Human Resources. Hired in 2019, they have about 6 years of service as a full-time employee. Diana earned $84,878 in 2025. They are represented by Confidential.

Kris Larson

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$84,793

Sub-department: Human Resources Baxter
Base pay: $84,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,793
Hire date: 1996-01-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Crow Wing

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kris Larson is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within Human Resources Baxter. Their tenure dates to 1996, about 29 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,793. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Ellen Behrhorst

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$84,682

Sub-department: HR Staffing Team 1
Base pay: $84,682
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,682
Hire date: 2023-08-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Transportation Department, Ellen Behrhorst serves as a Human Resources Specialist 2 within HR Staffing Team 1. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,682. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Pamela Horwath

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$83,795

Sub-department: HR Transactions and Benefits
Base pay: $83,795
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,795
Hire date: 2007-04-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Pamela Horwath is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within HR Transactions and Benefits. They have served since 2007 (about 18 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $83,795. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Alexia Grant

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$83,330

Sub-department: HR Management
Base pay: $83,330
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,330
Hire date: 2009-12-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Alexia Grant works as a Human Resources Specialist 2 for Transportation Department within HR Management. They have served since 2009 (about 16 years) as a full-time employee. Alexia earned $83,330 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Christine Hart

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$82,681

Sub-department: HR Management
Base pay: $82,681
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,681
Hire date: 1996-06-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Christine Hart holds the role of Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within HR Management. They have served since 1996 (about 29 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,681. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Susan Wallerstedt

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$82,623

Sub-department: Duluth Human Resources
Base pay: $79,941
Overtime: $2,682
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,623
Hire date: 2021-09-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Transportation Department, Susan Wallerstedt serves as a Human Resources Specialist 2 within Duluth Human Resources. Hired in 2021, they have about 4 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,623. They are represented by Confidential.

Alicia Isakson

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$80,911

Sub-department: D4 Human Resources
Base pay: $80,911
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,911
Hire date: 2020-03-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Becker

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Alicia Isakson holds the role of Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within D4 Human Resources. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $80,911. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Beth Friberg

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$79,125

Sub-department: Career Pathway Programs
Base pay: $77,986
Overtime: $1,139
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,125
Hire date: 2008-07-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
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: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Beth Friberg is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within Career Pathway Programs. Their tenure dates to 2008, about 17 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $79,125. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Amanda Bowlin

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$72,706

Sub-department: Career Pathway Programs
Base pay: $70,331
Overtime: $2,070
Other pay: $305
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,706
Hire date: 2023-06-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
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: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Transportation Department, Amanda Bowlin serves as a Human Resources Specialist 2 within Career Pathway Programs. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $72,706. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Trisha Hood

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$71,937

Sub-department: Human Resources
Base pay: $68,937
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,937
Hire date: 2011-05-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Trisha Hood works as a Human Resources Specialist 2 for Transportation Department within Human Resources. Their tenure dates to 2011, about 14 years as a full-time employee. Trisha earned $71,937 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Dee Link

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$68,792

Sub-department: HR Management
Base pay: $68,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,792
Hire date: 2021-12-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Dee Link is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within HR Management. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $68,792. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Stephanie Mccartney

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2024 total comp

$68,304

Sub-department: Human Resources Mgmt
Base pay: $68,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,304
Hire date: 2002-06-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Stephanie Mccartney holds the role of Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within Human Resources Management. They have served since 2002 (about 22 years) as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $68,304. They are represented by Confidential.

Laura Saari

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2025 total comp

$65,078

Sub-department: HR Staffing Team 1
Base pay: $65,078
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,078
Hire date: 2023-08-30
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Laura Saari holds the role of Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within HR Staffing Team 1. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $65,078. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Rose Haugen

Human Resources Specialist 2/Transportation Department

2024 total comp

$26,874

Sub-department: Human Resources St Cloud
Base pay: $25,119
Overtime: $55
Other pay: $1,699
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $26,874
Hire date: 2008-06-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: T79
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Rose Haugen is a Human Resources Specialist 2 at Transportation Department within Human Resources St Cloud. Hired in 2008, they have about 16 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $26,874. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.