Drinen, Jennifer
Animal Health SpecialistMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Animal Health. 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 2013 to FY 2016, pay went up 41% while consumer prices went up 3%. After inflation, pay is up 37% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2016 | $34,154 | −21.5% | +0.7% | −22.0% |
| FY 2015 | $43,500 | +7.7% | +0.7% | +6.9% |
| FY 2014 | $40,392 | +66.7% | +1.6% | +64.1% |
| FY 2013 | $24,238 | — | — | — |
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 2016 · Animal Health Specialist
Paid more than 60% of the 5 people with this job title that year. The median was $23,330.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Animal Health | Animal Health Specialist Full-time | Dakota | $22.20 /hr | — | $34,154 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Animal Health | Animal Health Specialist Full-time | Dakota | $20.92 /hr | $63 | $43,500 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Animal Health | Animal Health Specialist Full-time | Dakota | $19.66 /hr | $59 | $40,392 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Animal Health | Animal Health Specialist Full-time | Dakota | $18.46 /hr | — | $24,238 |
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 2016, amount paid
- Willis, Kevin$127,149Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Ehmke, Lee C.$116,998Dir Zoological Gardens
- Burns, Elizabeth$105,240Zoo Strategic Services Dir
- Rasmussen, James M$103,460Veterinarian Senior
- Ramlall, Dhanmati S$101,579Accounting Officer Senior
- Fisher, Anthony J$101,497Zoo Conservation Manager
- Willis, Doranne Beth Leilani$99,424Zoo Sales & Marketing Manager
- Edwards, Lucinda M$97,862State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Highest paid as Animal Health Specialist
FY 2016, amount paid
- Prom, Jennifer$57,604Minnesota Zoological Garden
- French, Jeanne E$23,330Racing Commission
- Hibbard, Susan Anne$12,966Racing Commission
- Farnsworth, Katrina Kaylean$9,024Minnesota Zoological Garden