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

John Frawley

Director Zoological Gardens/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$405,933

Sub-department: Zoo Director
Base pay: $405,933
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $405,933
Hire date: 2016-02-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, John Frawley serves as a Director Zoological Gardens within Zoo Director. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $405,933. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Amy Cowen

Zoo Deputy Director/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$164,824

Sub-department: Director's Office
Base pay: $164,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $164,824
Hire date: 2020-02-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 25
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Amy Cowen is a Zoo Deputy Director at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Director's Office. Hired in 2020, they have about 5 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $164,824. Union affiliation: Manager.

Abigail Mosher

Agency Division Director Senior/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$160,488

Sub-department: Deputy Director Office
Base pay: $160,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $160,488
Hire date: 2005-01-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 23
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Abigail Mosher serves as a Agency Division Director Senior within Deputy Director Office. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $160,488. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Abigail Mosher

Agency Chief Financial Officer/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2024 total comp

$157,225

Sub-department: Chief Operating Office
Base pay: $153,528
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,697
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,225
Hire date: 2005-01-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 21
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: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Abigail Mosher is a Agency Chief Financial Officer at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chief Operating Office. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 19 years, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $157,225. Union affiliation: Manager.

Sherry Kromschroeder

Agency Chief Financial Officer/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$157,059

Sub-department: Chief Operating Office
Base pay: $153,397
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,663
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,059
Hire date: 1991-10-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 22
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Sherry Kromschroeder is a Agency Chief Financial Officer at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chief Operating Office. They have served since 1991 (about 34 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $157,059. Union affiliation: Manager.

Otha Tillery

Plant Management Director/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$145,022

Sub-department: Chief Operating Office
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $695
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,022
Hire date: 2022-07-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Otha Tillery works as a Plant Management Director for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chief Operating Office. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a full-time employee. Otha earned $145,022 in 2025. They are represented by Manager.

Dawn Pearson

Human Resources Director 3/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: Chief Operating Office
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2015-09-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Dawn Pearson holds the role of Human Resources Director 3 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chief Operating Office. They have served since 2015 (about 10 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $144,327. Union affiliation: Manager.

Susan Garity

Veterinarian/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$142,651

Sub-department: Animal Health
Base pay: $112,759
Overtime: $927
Other pay: $28,965
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,651
Hire date: 2022-09-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Health Treatment Professional
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: 213
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Susan Garity works as a Veterinarian for Minnesota Zoological Garden within Animal Health. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a full-time employee. Susan earned $142,651 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Health Treatment Professional.

Erin Berlin

Veterinarian/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$134,053

Sub-department: Animal Health
Base pay: $105,212
Overtime: $3,946
Other pay: $24,895
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,053
Hire date: 2023-08-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Health Treatment Professional
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: 213
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Erin Berlin holds the role of Veterinarian at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Animal Health. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $134,053. They are represented by Health Treatment Professional.

Anne Rivas

Zoo Conservation Manager/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$132,495

Sub-department: CHCB Director Office
Base pay: $123,790
Overtime: $5,795
Other pay: $2,910
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,495
Hire date: 2021-05-12
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, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Anne Rivas is a Zoo Conservation Manager at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chcb Director Office. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $132,495. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Pamela Hoye

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$129,883

Sub-department: Deputy Director Office
Base pay: $126,775
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,108
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,883
Hire date: 2024-05-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Pamela Hoye serves as a State Program Administrative Manager Senior within Deputy Director Office. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $129,883. Union affiliation: Manager.

Jessica Madole

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$129,641

Sub-department: Chief Operating Office
Base pay: $129,641
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,641
Hire date: 2012-06-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Jessica Madole serves as a State Program Administrative Manager Senior within Chief Operating Office. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $129,641. They are represented by Manager.

Carol Strecker

Zoo Education Director/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$127,524

Sub-department: Deputy Director Office
Base pay: $127,524
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,524
Hire date: 2009-10-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Carol Strecker holds the role of Zoo Education Director at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Deputy Director Office. Their tenure dates to 2009, about 16 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $127,524. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Seth Stapleton

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$124,664

Sub-department: CHCB Director Office
Base pay: $122,346
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,318
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,664
Hire date: 2016-06-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Seth Stapleton is a State Program Administrative Manager Senior at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Chcb Director Office. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $124,664. Their bargaining unit is Manager.