Harris, Tara R
Zoo Conservation DirectorMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Director's Office. 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 2019, pay went down 43% while consumer prices went up 15%. After inflation, pay is down 50% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2019 | $29,279 | −71.8% | +2.1% | −72.3% |
| FY 2018 | $103,735 | +3.2% | +2.3% | +0.9% |
| FY 2017 | $100,503 | +11.1% | +1.8% | +9.1% |
| FY 2016 | $90,443 | +6.1% | +0.7% | +5.4% |
| FY 2015 | $85,259 | +1.6% | +0.7% | +0.8% |
| FY 2014 | $83,936 | +8.6% | +1.6% | +6.9% |
| FY 2013 | $77,280 | +4.9% | +1.7% | +3.2% |
| FY 2012 | $73,646 | +43.7% | +2.9% | +39.6% |
| FY 2011 | $51,238 | — | — | — |
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 2019 · Zoo Conservation Director
Too few people share this job title that year to make a fair comparison.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
9 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $50.77 /hr | — | $29,279 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $49.65 /hr | — | $103,735 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $47.03 /hr | — | $100,503 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $44.33 /hr | — | $90,443 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $41.79 /hr | — | $85,259 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $39.20 /hr | — | $83,936 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $36.77 /hr | — | $77,280 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $33.65 /hr | — | $73,646 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Director's Office | Zoo Conservation Director Full-time | Dakota | $33.65 /hr | — | $51,238 |
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 2019, amount paid
- Frawley, John$307,394Dir Zoological Gardens
- Frazier, David Burke$141,908Zoo Deputy Director
- Mosher, Abigail E$127,622Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Willis, Kevin$123,146Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Lahner, Lesanna Lyn$116,130Veterinarian
- Rasmussen, James M$109,057Veterinarian Senior
- Otten, Derik E$106,569State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Benson, Michelle Lynn$102,056Zoo Sales & Marketing Manager
Highest paid as Zoo Conservation Director
FY 2019, amount paid
No one else with a pay figure that year.