Ketcham, Nicole
Zoo Farm KeeperMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Farm. 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 2014 to FY 2019, pay went up 280% while consumer prices went up 8%. After inflation, pay is up 252% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2019 | $38,662 | — | — | — |
| FY 2017 | $11,266 | −24.7% | +1.8% | −26.1% |
| FY 2016 | $14,965 | −20.8% | +0.7% | −21.3% |
| FY 2015 | $18,883 | +85.5% | +0.7% | +84.2% |
| FY 2014 | $10,180 | — | — | — |
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 Farm Keeper
Paid more than 29% of the 7 people with this job title that year. The median was $39,494.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Farm | Zoo Farm Keeper Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $20.87 /hr | $1,998 | $38,662 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Farm | Zoo Farm Keeper Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $18.98 /hr | $161 | $11,266 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Farm | Zoo Farm Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $18.52 /hr | $411 | $14,965 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $18.07 /hr | $1,636 | $18,883 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Part-time | Dakota | $16.98 /hr | — | $10,180 |
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 Farm Keeper
FY 2019, amount paid
- Miller, Steven R$51,914Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Newland, Marian Rupp$43,491Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Hendrickson, Mitchell$42,528Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Paulson, Kelsea Vae$39,494Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Holt, Jennifer D$13,526Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Beach Kromann, Lindsey M$3,383Minnesota Zoological Garden