Hnilicka, Daniel G
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Marine Mammals. 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 2018 to FY 2020, pay went up 390% while consumer prices went up 4%. After inflation, pay is up 373% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2020 | $49,572 | +2.0% | +1.6% | +0.5% |
| FY 2019 | $48,578 | +380.0% | +2.1% | +370.3% |
| FY 2018 | $10,120 | — | — | — |
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 2020 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 83% of the 80 people with this job title that year. The median was $10,026.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
3 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Marine Mammals | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $25.08 /hr | $581 | $49,572 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Marine Mammals | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $23.74 /hr | $628 | $48,578 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Marine Mammals | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $22.42 /hr | $434 | $10,120 |
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 2020, amount paid
- Frawley, John$294,256Dir Zoological Gardens
- Willis, Kevin$163,904Zoo Conservation Manager
- Frazier, David Burke$145,107Zoo Deputy Director
- Lahner, Lesanna Lyn$130,633Veterinarian
- Mosher, Abigail E$128,873Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Strecker, Carol E$106,543Zoo Education Director
- Schmitt, Renee B$104,225Human Resources Director 2
- Fisher, Anthony J$101,828Zoo Conservation Manager
Highest paid as Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2020, amount paid
- Cruz, David R$84,144Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Crook, Donald A$61,974Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$61,934Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$60,591Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Devens, Dawn$59,779Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$59,056Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Kluever, Michaela E$58,770Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Ness, Christine I$57,914Minnesota Zoological Garden