Devens, Dawn
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Ambassdor Animal 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 2011 to FY 2021, pay went down 97% while consumer prices went up 19%. After inflation, pay is down 97% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2021 | $1,696 | −97.2% | +2.3% | −97.2% |
| FY 2020 | $59,779 | +2.0% | +1.6% | +0.4% |
| FY 2019 | $58,600 | +2.4% | +2.1% | +0.4% |
| FY 2018 | $57,206 | +1.2% | +2.3% | −1.0% |
| FY 2017 | $56,508 | +2.8% | +1.8% | +0.9% |
| FY 2016 | $54,984 | +2.4% | +0.7% | +1.7% |
| FY 2015 | $53,692 | +3.5% | +0.7% | +2.7% |
| FY 2014 | $51,898 | +4.0% | +1.6% | +2.4% |
| FY 2013 | $49,916 | −2.1% | +1.7% | −3.7% |
| FY 2012 | $50,999 | +3.0% | +2.9% | +0.1% |
| FY 2011 | $49,500 | — | — | — |
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 2021 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 9% of the 35 people with this job title that year. The median was $11,113.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
17 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Ambassdor Animal Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $29.50 /hr | $236 | $1,696 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Ambassdor Animal Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $28.78 /hr | — | $59,779 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $28.15 /hr | $113 | $58,600 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $27.53 /hr | — | $57,206 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $26.99 /hr | — | $56,508 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent · left during year | Dakota | $21.42 /hr | — | — |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $26.33 /hr | — | $54,984 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent · left during year | Dakota | $20.90 /hr | — | — |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $25.69 /hr | $77 | $53,692 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $24.94 /hr | — | $51,898 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent · left during year | Dakota | $19.80 /hr | — | — |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $24.21 /hr | — | $49,916 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent | Dakota | $19.22 /hr | — | — |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $23.74 /hr | — | $50,999 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent | Dakota | $18.84 /hr | — | — |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden School Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $23.74 /hr | $575 | $49,500 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Monorail | Interpret Guide Intermittent | Dakota | $18.84 /hr | — | — |
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 2021, amount paid
- Frawley, John$289,094Dir Zoological Gardens
- Frazier, David Burke$148,697Zoo Deputy Director
- Cowen, Amy Ritter$136,840Admin Agency Div Director Sr
- Mosher, Abigail E$132,133Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Schmitt, Renee B$106,864Human Resources Director 2
- Lahner, Lesanna Lyn$105,339Veterinarian
- Fisher, Anthony J$104,352Zoo Conservation Manager
- Madole, Jessica Marie$99,302State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Highest paid as Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2021, amount paid
- Crook, Donald A$63,508Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$63,405Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Cruz, David R$63,147Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$63,103Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Kluever, Michaela E$63,009Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$62,808Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Brown, Rebecca R$62,200Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Smith, Bridget E$60,223Minnesota Zoological Garden