Funk, Justin Alan
HorticulturistMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Horticulture. 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 2026, pay went up 125% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is up 52% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $81,225 | +39.6% | +3.1% | +35.3% |
| FY 2025 | $58,204 | +3.9% | +2.6% | +1.2% |
| FY 2024 | $56,010 | +2.2% | +3.3% | −1.1% |
| FY 2023 | $54,820 | +6.5% | +6.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2022 | $51,486 | +2.5% | +7.2% | −4.4% |
| FY 2021 | $50,244 | −6.9% | +2.3% | −9.0% |
| FY 2020 | $53,955 | +9.6% | +1.6% | +7.9% |
| FY 2019 | $49,226 | +2.7% | +2.1% | +0.6% |
| FY 2018 | $47,936 | +5.1% | +2.3% | +2.8% |
| FY 2017 | $45,590 | +3.8% | +1.8% | +2.0% |
| FY 2016 | $43,909 | +5.2% | +0.7% | +4.5% |
| FY 2015 | $41,731 | +4.2% | +0.7% | +3.5% |
| FY 2014 | $40,032 | +8.6% | +1.6% | +6.9% |
| FY 2013 | $36,861 | +33.7% | +1.7% | +31.6% |
| FY 2012 | $27,560 | −23.7% | +2.9% | −25.9% |
| FY 2011 | $36,124 | — | — | — |
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 · Horticulturist
Too few people share this job title that year to make a fair comparison.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
16 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Horticulture | Horticulturist Full-time | Dakota | $33.48 /hr | $90 | $81,225 |
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Horticulture | Horticulturist Full-time | Dakota | $31.92 /hr | — | $58,204 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Horticulture | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Dakota | $26.81 /hr | $764 | $56,010 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Horticulture | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Dakota | $25.41 /hr | $19 | $54,820 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Dakota | $24.79 /hr | — | $51,486 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Dakota | $24.19 /hr | — | $50,244 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Dakota | $23.60 /hr | $2,235 | $53,955 |
| 2019 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Senior Full-time | Ramsey | $24.42 /hr | $1,004 | $49,226 |
| 2018 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $22.57 /hr | $914 | $47,936 |
| 2017 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $22.13 /hr | — | $45,590 |
| 2016 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $20.90 /hr | $701 | $43,909 |
| 2015 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $19.88 /hr | $596 | $41,731 |
| 2014 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $18.80 /hr | $1,128 | $40,032 |
| 2013 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $17.76 /hr | $546 | $36,861 |
| 2012 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $16.97 /hr | $484 | $27,560 |
| 2011 | Administration Dept Plant Mgmt Grounds | Groundskeeper Inter Full-time | Ramsey | $16.57 /hr | $1,814 | $36,124 |
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
- Frawley, John$421,176Dir Zoological Gardens
- Mosher, Abigail E$163,030Agency Div Director Sr
- Kromschroeder, Sherry$161,019Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Garity, Susan C$149,247Veterinarian
- Pearson, Dawn Renee$146,607Human Resources Director 3
- Tillery, Otha$146,607Plant Mgmt Dir
- Kochevar, Randall$144,059Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Hoye, Pamela Ann$134,577State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Highest paid as Horticulturist
FY 2026, amount paid
- Kaufman, Samuel R$75,027MN St Colleges & Universities
- Weaver, Thomas Dale$72,145Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gilles, Braedon Doyle$56,406MN St Colleges & Universities