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Gardner, Michael R

Automotive MechanicMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time

Fleet & Grounds Mtce. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.

Total paid
$627,580
over 13 fiscal years
Latest year
$9,856
FY 2023
Highest year
$59,088
FY 2022
Yearly average
$48,275
across years on record
Change since first year
-79%
FY 2011 to FY 2023 · prices +36%

Pay by fiscal year

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

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K2011201320152017201920212023
Paid in yearFY 2011 pay grown with consumer prices (CPI)

From FY 2011 to FY 2023, pay went down 79% while consumer prices went up 36%. After inflation, pay is down 84% (it fell behind inflation).

YearPaidChangePrices (CPI)After inflation
FY 2023$9,856−83.3%+6.3%−84.3%
FY 2022$59,088+2.5%+7.2%−4.4%
FY 2021$57,659+2.0%+2.3%−0.3%
FY 2020$56,535+2.8%+1.6%+1.2%
FY 2019$55,018+2.2%+2.1%+0.2%
FY 2018$53,819+2.0%+2.3%−0.2%
FY 2017$52,752+2.5%+1.8%+0.6%
FY 2016$51,474+2.5%+0.7%+1.8%
FY 2015$50,223+3.0%+0.7%+2.2%
FY 2014$48,774+28.4%+1.6%+26.4%
FY 2013$37,986−20.7%+1.7%−22.0%
FY 2012$47,897+3.0%+2.9%+0.1%
FY 2011$46,501———

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 2023 · Automotive Mechanic

Paid more than 0% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $53,833.

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

See everyone with this job title

Every record

13 records, newest first

FYAgencyJob titleCountyBase payOvertimePaid
2023Minnesota Zoological Garden
Fleet & Grounds Mtce
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time · left during year
Dakota$29.16 /hr—$9,856
2022Minnesota Zoological Garden
Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$28.45 /hr—$59,088
2021Minnesota Zoological Garden
Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$27.76 /hr—$57,659
2020Minnesota Zoological Garden
Building, Fleet & Grounds Mtce
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$27.08 /hr—$56,535
2019Minnesota Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$26.48 /hr—$55,018
2018Minnesota Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$25.90 /hr—$53,819
2017Minnesota Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$25.39 /hr—$52,752
2016Minnesota Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$24.77 /hr—$51,474
2015MN Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$24.17 /hr—$50,223
2014MN Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$23.47 /hr—$48,774
2013MN Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$22.79 /hr—$37,986
2012MN Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$22.34 /hr—$47,897
2011MN Zoological Garden
Grounds
Automotive Mechanic
Full-time
Dakota$22.34 /hr$34$46,501

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 2023, amount paid

Highest paid as Automotive Mechanic

FY 2023, amount paid