Kusick, Melissa L
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyPart-time
Biological Programs 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 2017, pay went down 92% while consumer prices went up 10%. After inflation, pay is down 92% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2017 | $1,447 | −75.6% | +1.8% | −76.0% |
| FY 2016 | $5,924 | −85.7% | +0.7% | −85.8% |
| FY 2015 | $41,518 | +7.2% | +0.7% | +6.4% |
| FY 2014 | $38,723 | +8.7% | +1.6% | +7.0% |
| FY 2013 | $35,620 | −1.2% | +1.7% | −2.8% |
| FY 2012 | $36,062 | +107.1% | +2.9% | +101.2% |
| FY 2011 | $17,413 | — | — | — |
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 2017 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 10% of the 96 people with this job title that year. The median was $8,201.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
7 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Biological Programs Office | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $21.28 /hr | — | $1,447 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $20.25 /hr | — | $5,924 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $20.25 /hr | $147 | $41,518 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $19.01 /hr | $207 | $38,723 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $17.91 /hr | $229 | $35,620 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $16.97 /hr | $700 | $36,062 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Bird Show | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time | Dakota | $16.41 /hr | $437 | $17,413 |
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 2017, amount paid
- Frawley, John$278,928Dir Zoological Gardens
- Willis, Kevin$120,914Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Rasmussen, James M$105,656Veterinarian Senior
- Harris, Tara R$100,503Zoo Conservation Director
- Fisher, Anthony J$95,489Zoo Conservation Manager
- Otten, Derik E$93,468State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Robison, Mary E$91,142Financial Services Director
- Weisenburger, Kenneth$87,374Safety Administrator Supv
Highest paid as Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2017, amount paid
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$58,580Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$57,441Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Crook, Donald A$57,203Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Devens, Dawn$56,508Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$56,393Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Ness, Christine I$53,595Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Kluever, Michaela E$51,612Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Brown, Rebecca R$50,084Minnesota Zoological Garden