Anderson, Karla J
Zoo KeeperMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Tropics & MN Trail. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2011 to FY 2025, pay went up 11% while consumer prices went up 44%. After inflation, pay is down 23% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025 | $53,738 | −19.1% | +2.6% | −21.2% |
| FY 2024 | $66,444 | −1.9% | +3.3% | −5.0% |
| FY 2023 | $67,705 | +8.2% | +6.3% | +1.8% |
| FY 2022 | $62,569 | +3.5% | +7.2% | −3.5% |
| FY 2021 | $60,479 | +5.4% | +2.3% | +3.1% |
| FY 2020 | $57,368 | +1.0% | +1.6% | −0.5% |
| FY 2019 | $56,795 | +3.4% | +2.1% | +1.3% |
| FY 2018 | $54,945 | +1.5% | +2.3% | −0.8% |
| FY 2017 | $54,153 | +0.7% | +1.8% | −1.1% |
| FY 2016 | $53,764 | +4.5% | +0.7% | +3.8% |
| FY 2015 | $51,428 | +2.9% | +0.7% | +2.2% |
| FY 2014 | $49,981 | +3.4% | +1.6% | +1.8% |
| FY 2013 | $48,345 | −3.7% | +1.7% | −5.3% |
| FY 2012 | $50,189 | +3.5% | +2.9% | +0.5% |
| FY 2011 | $48,498 | — | — | — |
Each change compares a year with the one before. Large swings usually come from a partial year, extra hours or a change of job rather than a raise. Prices: Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, U.S. city average) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged July to June; FY 2026 uses 11 months because October 2025 was not published.
Compared with the same job title
FY 2025 · Zoo Keeper
Paid more than 35% of the 66 people with this job title that year. The median was $59,763.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
15 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics & MN Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $32.79 /hr | $642 | $53,738 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics & MN Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $31.38 /hr | $1,883 | $66,444 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.74 /hr | $2,669 | $67,705 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.01 /hr | $870 | $62,569 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $28.30 /hr | $566 | $60,479 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.61 /hr | — | $57,368 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.00 /hr | $689 | $56,795 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $26.41 /hr | $59 | $54,945 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.89 /hr | $105 | $54,153 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.26 /hr | $9 | $53,764 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $24.64 /hr | — | $51,428 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $23.92 /hr | $36 | $49,981 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $23.22 /hr | $1,071 | $48,345 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $22.76 /hr | $683 | $50,189 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $22.76 /hr | $2,048 | $48,498 |
The state reports one pay total per person per year, covering all of their positions, so it appears on one of that year’s lines and the others show no separate pay.
Highest paid in Minnesota Zoological Garden
FY 2025, amount paid
- Frawley, John$405,933Dir Zoological Gardens
- Cowen, Amy Ritter$164,824Zoo Deputy Director
- Mosher, Abigail E$160,488Agency Div Director Sr
- Kromschroeder, Sherry$157,059Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Tillery, Otha$145,022Plant Mgmt Dir
- Pearson, Dawn Renee$144,327Human Resources Director 3
- Garity, Susan C$142,651Veterinarian
- Berlin, Erin Rachel$134,053Veterinarian
Highest paid as Zoo Keeper
FY 2025, amount paid
- Smith, Bridget E$75,629Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Molitor, Kristi L$74,391Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Reece, Eric$73,393Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Sutton, Benjamin A$73,217Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Kour, Shannon M$72,716Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gabrielson, Kelli M$72,261Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Grill, Jessica$71,500Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Emberton, Samantha$71,387Minnesota Zoological Garden