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Minnesota / Minnesota Zoological Garden

Agency file

Minnesota Zoological Garden

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

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

In 2025, this agency had 487 employees with median total compensation of $46,651; the highest distinct record was $405,933.

Year
2025
Total payroll
$21.6M
Employees
487
Median total
$46,651
Highest record
$405,933

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 487 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($46,651) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

  • Base$42,388 (96%)
  • Overtime$1,212 (3%)
  • Other$716 (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
$3,509
$7,460
$46,651
$69,092
$89,050

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $89,050 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $3,509. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

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.

YearTotal payrollEmployeesMedian pay
2024
$19.6M
500
$31,947
2025
$21.6M
10.1%
487
2.6%
$46,651
46.0%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Danney Erickson

Stationary Engineer/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$21,912
Sub-department
Engineering
Base pay
$19,147
Overtime
$2,554
Other pay
$212
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,912
Hire date
2015-05-20
Employment type
Part-Time
Pay grade
95
Union / bargaining unit
Craft, Maintenance, Labor
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.4
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
202
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Danney Erickson serves as a Stationary Engineer within Engineering. They have served since 2015 (about 10 years), working part-time, 0.4 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $21,912. Their bargaining unit is Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Jessica Reelfs

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$21,633
Sub-department
Education
Base pay
$21,184
Overtime
$449
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,633
Hire date
2004-06-05
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
5
Union / bargaining unit
Service
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.25
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
203
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Jessica Reelfs serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Education. Hired in 2004, they have about 21 years of service, working intermittent, 0.25 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $21,633. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Matthew Bayer

Campus Security Officer/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp
$21,533
Sub-department
Health & Security
Base pay
$19,804
Overtime
$717
Other pay
$1,013
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,533
Hire date
2024-01-23
Employment type
Part-Time
Pay grade
66
Union / bargaining unit
Service
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.8
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
203
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Matthew Bayer serves as a Campus Security Officer within Health & Security. Hired in 2024, they have under a year of service, working part-time, 0.8 FTE. Their 2024 pay totaled $21,533. They are represented by Service.

Nicole Mceathron

Executive Aide/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$21,451
Sub-department
Zoo Director
Base pay
$17,686
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$3,765
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,451
Hire date
2017-05-30
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
9
Union / bargaining unit
Manager
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
220
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Unclassified
Classified Status
Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Nicole Mceathron holds the role of Executive Aide at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Zoo Director. Hired in 2017, they have about 8 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $21,451. Union affiliation: Manager.

Tammy Cossetta

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$21,110
Sub-department
Guest Services
Base pay
$20,003
Overtime
$917
Other pay
$190
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,110
Hire date
2023-06-27
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
60
Union / bargaining unit
Insufficient Work Time
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.33
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
218
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Tammy Cossetta serves as a Customer Services Specialist within Guest Services. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years), working intermittent, 0.33 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $21,110. They are represented by Insufficient Work Time.

Bradley Norman

General Maintenance Worker/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp
$21,060
Sub-department
Building Services
Base pay
$14,663
Overtime
$4,996
Other pay
$1,400
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$21,060
Hire date
2023-08-16
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
56
Union / bargaining unit
Service
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
203
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Bradley Norman holds the role of General Maintenance Worker at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Their tenure dates to 2023, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $21,060. Union affiliation: Service.

Blaire Nelson

Interpret Naturalist Aide/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$20,668
Sub-department
Animal Health
Base pay
$19,974
Overtime
$694
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$20,668
Hire date
2025-01-13
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
61
Union / bargaining unit
Technical
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
207
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Blaire Nelson is a Interpret Naturalist Aide at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Animal Health. Hired in 2025, they have under a year of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $20,668. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Karyn Vilendrer

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$20,027
Sub-department
Guest Services
Base pay
$19,076
Overtime
$784
Other pay
$167
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$20,027
Hire date
2022-06-19
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
60
Union / bargaining unit
Clerical
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
206
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Karyn Vilendrer works as a Customer Services Specialist for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a intermittent, 0.1 FTE employee. Karyn earned $20,027 in 2025. They are represented by Clerical.

Kirsten Quarandillo

Executive 2/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$19,808
Sub-department
Director's Office Support
Base pay
$19,808
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$19,808
Hire date
2025-02-18
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
70
Union / bargaining unit
Confidential
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
217
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Unclassified
Classified Status
Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Kirsten Quarandillo holds the role of Executive 2 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Director's Office Support. Their tenure dates to 2025, under a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $19,808. They are represented by Confidential.

Melissa Remick

Assistant to Commr/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp
$19,713
Sub-department
Director's Office
Base pay
$5,431
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$14,282
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$19,713
Hire date
2001-09-18
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
15
Union / bargaining unit
Manager
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
220
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Unclassified
Classified Status
Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Melissa Remick holds the role of Assistant to Commr at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Director's Office. Their tenure dates to 2001, about 23 years as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $19,713. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Elizabeth West

Zoo Keeper/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp
$18,402
Sub-department
Northern Trail
Base pay
$17,188
Overtime
$1,205
Other pay
$9
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$18,402
Hire date
2019-05-15
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
65
Union / bargaining unit
Insufficient Work Time
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
218
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Elizabeth West holds the role of Zoo Keeper at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Northern Trail. Hired in 2019, they have about 5 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $18,402. Union affiliation: Insufficient Work Time.

Jason Colvin

Emergency Medical Technician/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp
$18,251
Sub-department
Health & Security
Base pay
$17,467
Overtime
$769
Other pay
$15
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$18,251
Hire date
2015-06-01
Employment type
Part-Time
Pay grade
64
Union / bargaining unit
Service
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024
No
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
203
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Jason Colvin serves as a Emergency Medical Technician within Health & Security. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service, working part-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $18,251. Union affiliation: Service.

Taylor Jones

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$17,618
Sub-department
Education
Base pay
$16,551
Overtime
$377
Other pay
$690
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$17,618
Hire date
2024-05-11
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
5
Union / bargaining unit
Insufficient Work Time
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
218
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Taylor Jones works as a Interpret Naturalist 1 for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Education. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a intermittent, 0.1 FTE employee. Taylor earned $17,618 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Insufficient Work Time.

Cassandra Campbell

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$17,527
Sub-department
Guest Services
Base pay
$16,501
Overtime
$847
Other pay
$179
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$17,527
Hire date
2023-07-24
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
60
Union / bargaining unit
Insufficient Work Time
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.33
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
218
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Cassandra Campbell works as a Customer Services Specialist for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a intermittent, 0.33 FTE employee. Cassandra earned $17,527 in 2025. They are represented by Insufficient Work Time.

Peter Keefe

Zoo Keeper/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$17,192
Sub-department
Farm
Base pay
$16,374
Overtime
$789
Other pay
$28
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$17,192
Hire date
2025-03-12
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
69
Union / bargaining unit
Technical
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
207
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Peter Keefe serves as a Zoo Keeper within Farm. They have served since 2025 (under a year), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $17,192. Union affiliation: Technical.

Dominique Serrano

Campus Security Officer/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$17,191
Sub-department
Health & Security
Base pay
$17,160
Overtime
$18
Other pay
$14
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$17,191
Hire date
2025-02-12
Employment type
Full-Time
Pay grade
66
Union / bargaining unit
Service
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
203
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Dominique Serrano works as a Campus Security Officer for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Health & Security. Hired in 2025, they have under a year of service as a full-time employee. Dominique earned $17,191 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Debra Cadry

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp
$16,704
Sub-department
Guest Services
Base pay
$16,458
Overtime
$73
Other pay
$173
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$16,704
Hire date
2021-10-27
Employment type
Intermittent
Pay grade
60
Union / bargaining unit
Clerical
Pay basis
Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
0.1
Work county
Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025
Yes
Agency Number
E77
Bargaining Unit Number
206
Branch
Executive
Branch Code
Executive
Classified Code
Classified
Classified Status
Classified
Compensation Frequency Code
Hourly

Debra Cadry is a Customer Services Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years), working intermittent, 0.1 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $16,704. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.