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

$389$129,641+

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

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

Student Worker Clerical

78 · $4,293

Zoo Keeper

66 · $59,763

Interpret Naturalist 1

51 · $10,022

Customer Services Specialist

35 · $23,323

General Maintenance Worker

19 · $25,372

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	$19.6M —	500 —	$31,947 —
2025	$21.6M ▲ 10.1%	487 ▼ 2.6%	$46,651 ▲ 46.0%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Nigar Mcmanus

Special Events Coordinator/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$27,081

Sub-department: Special Events
Base pay: $26,947
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $135
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $27,081
Hire date: 2023-02-01
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.75
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nigar Mcmanus works as a Special Events Coordinator for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Special Events. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. Nigar earned $27,081 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Lydia Hilgenkamp

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$26,214

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $24,907
Overtime: $1,129
Other pay: $177
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $26,214
Hire date: 2021-07-21
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

Lydia Hilgenkamp is a Customer Services Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Hired in 2021, they have about 4 years of service, working intermittent, 0.1 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $26,214. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Amanda Drews

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$26,161

Sub-department: Education
Base pay: $26,153
Overtime: $9
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $26,161
Hire date: 2009-06-17
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

Amanda Drews is a Interpret Naturalist 1 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Education. Their tenure dates to 2009, about 16 years, working intermittent, 0.1 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $26,161. Their bargaining unit is Insufficient Work Time.

Megan Henning

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$26,117

Sub-department: Education
Base pay: $25,878
Overtime: $53
Other pay: $186
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $26,117
Hire date: 2011-05-31
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: Insufficient Work Time
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: 218
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Megan Henning serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Education. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years), working intermittent, 0.25 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $26,117. Union affiliation: Insufficient Work Time.

Haylee Hayes

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$25,585

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $24,128
Overtime: $989
Other pay: $468
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $25,585
Hire date: 2023-06-27
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.35
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

Haylee Hayes holds the role of Customer Services Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a intermittent, 0.35 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $25,585. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Katherine Musser

General Maintenance Worker/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$25,372

Sub-department: Building Services
Base pay: $23,095
Overtime: $554
Other pay: $1,724
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $25,372
Hire date: 2024-12-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 60
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

Katherine Musser holds the role of General Maintenance Worker at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Building Services. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $25,372. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Kira Barnes

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$25,337

Sub-department: Outreach
Base pay: $24,790
Overtime: $533
Other pay: $13
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $25,337
Hire date: 2023-05-20
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.8
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kira Barnes works as a Interpret Naturalist 1 for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Outreach. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a part-time, 0.8 FTE employee. Kira earned $25,337 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jasmine Rodriguez

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$24,682

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $23,927
Overtime: $504
Other pay: $252
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,682
Hire date: 2023-06-27
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.35
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

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Jasmine Rodriguez serves as a Customer Services Specialist within Guest Services. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working intermittent, 0.35 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $24,682. They are represented by Clerical.

Sophia Ketterling

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$24,226

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $22,847
Overtime: $968
Other pay: $411
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,226
Hire date: 2019-06-29
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

Sophia Ketterling is a Customer Services Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. They have served since 2019 (about 6 years), working intermittent, 0.1 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $24,226. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Nicole Gonsalez

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$24,085

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $22,994
Overtime: $712
Other pay: $378
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,085
Hire date: 2020-11-03
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.35
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

Nicole Gonsalez is a Customer Services Specialist at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years, working intermittent, 0.35 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $24,085. Union affiliation: Clerical.

David Cadry Sr

Customer Services Specialist/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$23,323

Sub-department: Guest Services
Base pay: $22,704
Overtime: $395
Other pay: $224
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $23,323
Hire date: 2023-03-15
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.35
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

David Cadry Sr works as a Customer Services Specialist for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Guest Services. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a intermittent, 0.35 FTE employee. David earned $23,323 in 2025. They are represented by Clerical.

Renee Trojan

Zoo Keeper/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$22,596

Sub-department: Tropics & MN Trail
Base pay: $22,564
Overtime: $32
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $22,596
Hire date: 2022-05-11
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, Renee Trojan serves as a Zoo Keeper within Tropics & MN Trail. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $22,596. Union affiliation: Technical.

Andre Fracisco

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$22,528

Sub-department: Zoo Camp
Base pay: $21,947
Overtime: $576
Other pay: $5
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $22,528
Hire date: 2019-05-18
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

Andre Fracisco holds the role of Interpret Naturalist 1 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Zoo Camp. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years as a intermittent, 0.1 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $22,528. Union affiliation: Insufficient Work Time.

Emily Fick

Zoo Keeper/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$22,480

Sub-department: Farm
Base pay: $19,743
Overtime: $1,233
Other pay: $1,504
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $22,480
Hire date: 2024-05-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 65
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
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: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Emily Fick works as a Zoo Keeper for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Farm. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a full-time employee. Emily earned $22,480 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Technical.