Estebo, Steven A
ZoologistMN Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Birds. 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 2015, pay went up 10% while consumer prices went up 7%. After inflation, pay is up 3% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2015 | $70,000 | +11.6% | +0.7% | +10.8% |
| FY 2014 | $62,725 | −2.4% | +1.6% | −3.9% |
| FY 2013 | $64,290 | +1.3% | +1.7% | −0.4% |
| FY 2012 | $63,483 | −0.3% | +2.9% | −3.2% |
| FY 2011 | $63,699 | — | — | — |
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 2015 · Zoologist
Paid more than 88% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $63,744.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
5 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Birds | Zoologist Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $30.68 /hr | $104 | $70,000 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Birds | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $29.79 /hr | $1,295 | $62,725 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Birds | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $28.92 /hr | $2,792 | $64,290 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Birds | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $28.35 /hr | $1,822 | $63,483 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Birds | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $28.35 /hr | $4,017 | $63,699 |
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 MN Zoological Garden
FY 2015, amount paid
- Ehmke, Lee C.$247,437Dir Zoological Gardens
- Braziel, Connie$125,579Zoo Deputy Director
- Willis, Kevin$112,393Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Kornack, Kenneth M$108,290State Prog Admin Manager Prin
- Burns, Elizabeth$99,194Zoo Strategic Services Dir
- Rasmussen, James M$97,730Veterinarian Senior
- Edwards, Lucinda M$97,182State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Fisher, Anthony J$90,819Zoo Conservation Manager
Highest paid as Zoologist
FY 2015, amount paid
- Peterson, Daniel J$67,186MN Zoological Garden
- Trechsel, Laura J$65,163MN Zoological Garden
- Long, Janet L$64,786MN Zoological Garden
- Walker, Dawn$62,703MN Zoological Garden
- Oerter, Melanie R$62,065MN Zoological Garden
- Swengel, Frederick B$55,927MN Zoological Garden
- Hubred, Ben I$52,942MN Zoological Garden