Bruss, Brenden
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyPart-time
Education Programs. 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 2015 to FY 2018, pay went up 1,204% while consumer prices went up 5%. After inflation, pay is up 1,144% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2018 | $4,401 | +24.4% | +2.3% | +21.6% |
| FY 2017 | $3,539 | −29.9% | +1.8% | −31.1% |
| FY 2016 | $5,045 | +1,395.2% | +0.7% | +1,385.2% |
| FY 2015 | $337 | — | — | — |
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 2018 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 23% of the 95 people with this job title that year. The median was $10,120.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
4 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $19.03 /hr | $72 | $4,401 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $18.66 /hr | — | $3,539 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $18.20 /hr | — | $5,045 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $17.76 /hr | — | $337 |
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 2018, amount paid
- Frawley, John$331,441Dir Zoological Gardens
- Frazier, David Burke$138,808Zoo Deputy Director
- Mosher, Abigail E$124,045Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Willis, Kevin$120,459Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Rasmussen, James M$108,838Veterinarian Senior
- Harris, Tara R$103,735Zoo Conservation Director
- Otten, Derik E$100,656State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Benson, Michelle Lynn$97,993Zoo Sales & Marketing Manager
Highest paid as Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2018, amount paid
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$59,881Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Crook, Donald A$58,586Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$57,698Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Devens, Dawn$57,206Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$55,848Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Ness, Christine I$55,128Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Kluever, Michaela E$52,107Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Brown, Rebecca R$51,325Minnesota Zoological Garden