Agency file

Zoo

Source file: City of Los Angeles Controller — City Employee Payroll / ingested Jun 17, 2026

The Zoo is a government agency that delivers public services and programs within its jurisdiction.

In 2025, this agency had 486 employees with median total compensation of $50,374; the highest distinct record was $375,717.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $28.6M
Employees: 486
Median total: $50,374
Highest record: $375,717

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$0$196,461+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 486 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($50,374) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $46,973 (80%)
Overtime — $352 (1%)
Other — $2,613 (4%)
Benefits — $8,876 (15%)

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

$569

$7,495

$50,374

$98,629

$126,037

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $126,037 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $569. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

105 · $1,474

Animal Keeper

104 · $81,437

Special Program Assistant II

32 · $19,458

Recreation Assistant

24 · $7,990

Assistant Park Services Attendant I

22 · $14,063

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 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2024	$27.5M —	367 —	$76,039 —
2025	$28.6M ▲ 3.8%	486 ▲ 32.4%	$50,374 ▼ 33.8%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Heather Kern

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$73,411

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $60,964
Overtime: $92
Other pay: $2,001
Benefits: $10,354
Total compensation: $73,411
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 333539313035
Row ID: 25333539313035874304-0FT

Heather Kern holds the role of Animal Keeper at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $73,411. They are represented by 04.

Brianna Phillips

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$73,035

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $60,089
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,592
Benefits: $10,354
Total compensation: $73,035
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 373930343035
Row ID: 25373930343035874304-0FT

At Zoo, Brianna Phillips serves as a Animal Keeper within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,035. Their bargaining unit is 04.

Ariel Hong

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$72,978

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $60,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,718
Benefits: $10,678
Total compensation: $72,978
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 343930343035
Row ID: 25343930343035874304-0FT

Ariel Hong is a Animal Keeper at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $72,978. Union affiliation: 04.

Donial Mcelwee

Custodian/Zoo

2025 total comp

$72,595

Sub-department: Service Employees
Base pay: $56,451
Overtime: $3,239
Other pay: $2,561
Benefits: $10,344
Total compensation: $72,595
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 15

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3156-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 3637303032
Row ID: 253637303032873156-0FT

Donial Mcelwee holds the role of Custodian at Zoo within Service Employees. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $72,595. Union affiliation: 15.

Luis Salazar

Custodian/Zoo

2025 total comp

$72,183

Sub-department: Service Employees
Base pay: $56,451
Overtime: $3,060
Other pay: $2,009
Benefits: $10,663
Total compensation: $72,183
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 15

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3156-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 333838363733
Row ID: 25333838363733873156-0FT

Luis Salazar is a Custodian at Zoo within Service Employees. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $72,183. They are represented by 15.

Suzie Han

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$71,733

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $58,859
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,921
Benefits: $10,953
Total compensation: $71,733
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 323132373035
Row ID: 25323132373035874304-0FT

Suzie Han works as a Animal Keeper for Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. Their status is full-time. Suzie earned $71,733 in 2025. Union affiliation: 04.

Jennifer Kachala

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$71,158

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $57,823
Overtime: $220
Other pay: $1,817
Benefits: $11,297
Total compensation: $71,158
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 393237313135
Row ID: 25393237313135874304-0FT

Jennifer Kachala works as a Animal Keeper for Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. Their status is full-time. Jennifer earned $71,158 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is 04.

David Gutierrez

Custodian/Zoo

2025 total comp

$71,026

Sub-department: Service Employees
Base pay: $55,787
Overtime: $200
Other pay: $4,371
Benefits: $10,668
Total compensation: $71,026
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 15

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3156-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 333033303133
Row ID: 25333033303133873156-0FT

David Gutierrez works as a Custodian for Zoo within Service Employees. Their status is full-time. David earned $71,026 in 2025. Union affiliation: 15.

Alexandra Cosgrove

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$70,347

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $58,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,509
Benefits: $10,354
Total compensation: $70,347
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Not active
Record Number: 313339373833
Row ID: 25313339373833874304-0FT

Alexandra Cosgrove is a Animal Keeper at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $70,347. They are represented by 04.

Noel Zesati

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$70,183

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $57,098
Overtime: $1,406
Other pay: $1,321
Benefits: $10,358
Total compensation: $70,183
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 313232393533
Row ID: 25313232393533873141-0FT

Noel Zesati is a Gardener Caretaker at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $70,183. Their bargaining unit is 04.

Ryan Sparks

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$70,091

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $58,686
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,487
Benefits: $9,918
Total compensation: $70,091
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 313837383035
Row ID: 25313837383035874304-0FT

At Zoo, Ryan Sparks serves as a Animal Keeper within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $70,091. Their bargaining unit is 04.

Justina Hiney

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$70,063

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $58,136
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,586
Benefits: $10,341
Total compensation: $70,063
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 363238313035
Row ID: 25363238313035874304-0FT

Justina Hiney is a Animal Keeper at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $70,063. Their bargaining unit is 04.

Jaac Serrato

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$69,460

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $47,184
Overtime: $360
Other pay: $1,428
Benefits: $20,488
Total compensation: $69,460
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 343236353633
Row ID: 25343236353633873141-0FT

Jaac Serrato is a Gardener Caretaker at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $69,460. Their bargaining unit is 04.

Geoffrey Fischer

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$69,221

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $55,595
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,289
Benefits: $10,336
Total compensation: $69,221
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 353530343034
Row ID: 25353530343034873141-0FT

Geoffrey Fischer is a Gardener Caretaker at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $69,221. Union affiliation: 04.

Jared Cappocchi

Park Services Attendant II/Zoo

2025 total comp

$69,037

Sub-department: Clerical
Base pay: $53,948
Overtime: $2,759
Other pay: $1,676
Benefits: $10,654
Total compensation: $69,037
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 03

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 2412-2
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 343532363034
Row ID: 25343532363034872412-2FT

Jared Cappocchi is a Park Services Attendant II at Zoo within Clerical. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $69,037. Union affiliation: 03.

Cecilia Garcia

Custodian/Zoo

2025 total comp

$68,922

Sub-department: Service Employees
Base pay: $56,451
Overtime: $200
Other pay: $1,603
Benefits: $10,668
Total compensation: $68,922
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 15

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3156-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 313738373433
Row ID: 25313738373433873156-0FT

Cecilia Garcia holds the role of Custodian at Zoo within Service Employees. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $68,922. Their bargaining unit is 15.

Angel Rodriguez Jr

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$67,754

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $49,334
Overtime: $2,327
Other pay: $1,420
Benefits: $14,672
Total compensation: $67,754
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Not active
Record Number: 383134393134
Row ID: 25383134393134873141-0FT

Angel Rodriguez Jr works as a Gardener Caretaker for Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. Their status is full-time. Angel earned $67,754 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is 04.

William Warden

Animal Keeper/Zoo

2025 total comp

$67,018

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $62,204
Overtime: $1,157
Other pay: $3,151
Benefits: $506
Total compensation: $67,018
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 4304-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 393836383234
Row ID: 25393836383234874304-0FT

William Warden is a Animal Keeper at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $67,018. Union affiliation: 04.

Saul Galdamez

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$66,358

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $52,706
Overtime: $1,684
Other pay: $1,317
Benefits: $10,650
Total compensation: $66,358
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 393739353933
Row ID: 25393739353933873141-0FT

At Zoo, Saul Galdamez serves as a Gardener Caretaker within Equipment Operation and Labor. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $66,358. Union affiliation: 04.

Omar Ortega

Gardener Caretaker/Zoo

2025 total comp

$65,996

Sub-department: Equipment Operation and Labor
Base pay: $52,765
Overtime: $580
Other pay: $1,293
Benefits: $11,359
Total compensation: $65,996
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 04

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 3141-0
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 333030393733
Row ID: 25333030393733873141-0FT

Omar Ortega holds the role of Gardener Caretaker at Zoo within Equipment Operation and Labor. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $65,996. Union affiliation: 04.

Ashley Origel

Park Services Attendant II/Zoo

2025 total comp

$65,988

Sub-department: Clerical
Base pay: $53,830
Overtime: $1,423
Other pay: $85
Benefits: $10,650
Total compensation: $65,988
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: 03

Source-specific fields

FMS Department Code: 87
Job Class Pay Grade: 2412-2
Job Status: Active
Record Number: 393034353833
Row ID: 25393034353833872412-2FT

Ashley Origel is a Park Services Attendant II at Zoo within Clerical. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $65,988. They are represented by 03.