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Donovan, Kenneth W

PainterMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyIntermittent

Skilled Trades. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.

Total paid
$815,021
over 16 fiscal years
Latest year
$10,086
FY 2026
Highest year
$66,777
FY 2024
Yearly average
$50,939
across years on record
Change since first year
-79%
FY 2011 to FY 2026 · prices +48%

Pay by fiscal year

Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K20112013201520172019202120232025
Paid in yearFY 2011 pay grown with consumer prices (CPI)

From FY 2011 to FY 2026, pay went down 79% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is down 86% (it fell behind inflation).

YearPaidChangePrices (CPI)After inflation
FY 2026$10,086−65.3%+3.1%−66.4%
FY 2025$29,073−56.5%+2.6%−57.6%
FY 2024$66,777+3.2%+3.3%−0.1%
FY 2023$64,701+6.4%+6.3%+0.2%
FY 2022$60,791+4.4%+7.2%−2.6%
FY 2021$58,255+0.6%+2.3%−1.7%
FY 2020$57,901+1.7%+1.6%+0.1%
FY 2019$56,955+2.2%+2.1%+0.1%
FY 2018$55,743+2.4%+2.3%+0.1%
FY 2017$54,456+2.8%+1.8%+0.9%
FY 2016$52,970+2.5%+0.7%+1.8%
FY 2015$51,688+3.0%+0.7%+2.2%
FY 2014$50,192+4.0%+1.6%+2.4%
FY 2013$48,271−2.1%+1.7%−3.7%
FY 2012$49,306+3.0%+2.9%+0.1%
FY 2011$47,856———

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 2026 · Painter

Paid more than 0% of the 34 people with this job title that year. The median was $69,790.

Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.

See everyone with this job title

Every record

16 records, newest first

FYAgencyJob titleCountyBase payOvertimePaid
2026Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades
Painter
Intermittent · left during year
Dakota$33.07 /hr—$10,086
2025Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades
Painter
Intermittent
Dakota$33.07 /hr—$29,073
2024Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades
Painter
Intermittent
Dakota$31.65 /hr—$66,777
2023Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades Services
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$30.00 /hr—$64,701
2022Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades Services
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$29.27 /hr—$60,791
2021Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades Services
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$28.56 /hr—$58,255
2020Minnesota Zoological Garden
Skilled Trades Services
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$27.86 /hr—$57,901
2019Minnesota Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$27.25 /hr$327$56,955
2018Minnesota Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$26.65 /hr$360$55,743
2017Minnesota Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$26.13 /hr$157$54,456
2016Minnesota Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$25.49 /hr—$52,970
2015MN Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$24.87 /hr—$51,688
2014MN Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$24.15 /hr—$50,192
2013MN Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$23.45 /hr—$48,271
2012MN Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$22.99 /hr—$49,306
2011MN Zoological Garden
Facilities Maintenance
Painter
Full-time
Dakota$22.99 /hr—$47,856

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 2026, amount paid

Highest paid as Painter

FY 2026, amount paid