Mowan, Lea M
PainterMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Skilled Trades. 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 2017 to FY 2026, pay went up 370% while consumer prices went up 35%. After inflation, pay is up 248% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $69,790 | +1.0% | +3.1% | −2.1% |
| FY 2025 | $69,092 | +4.9% | +2.6% | +2.2% |
| FY 2024 | $65,893 | +1.4% | +3.3% | −1.8% |
| FY 2023 | $64,971 | +6.7% | +6.3% | +0.4% |
| FY 2022 | $60,901 | +2.7% | +7.2% | −4.2% |
| FY 2021 | $59,321 | +2.5% | +2.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2020 | $57,896 | +4.3% | +1.6% | +2.7% |
| FY 2019 | $55,504 | +5.8% | +2.1% | +3.7% |
| FY 2018 | $52,457 | +253.3% | +2.3% | +245.5% |
| FY 2017 | $14,848 | — | — | — |
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 2026 · Painter
Paid more than 59% of the 34 people with this job title that year. The median was $69,790.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
10 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $33.57 /hr | — | $69,790 |
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $33.07 /hr | $397 | $69,092 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $31.65 /hr | $166 | $65,893 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades Services | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $30.00 /hr | $270 | $64,971 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades Services | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $29.27 /hr | $110 | $60,901 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades Services | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $28.56 /hr | — | $59,321 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Skilled Trades Services | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $27.86 /hr | — | $57,896 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Facilities Maintenance | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $27.25 /hr | — | $55,504 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Facilities Maintenance | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $25.90 /hr | — | $52,457 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Facilities Maintenance | Painter Full-time | Dakota | $23.97 /hr | $72 | $14,848 |
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 2026, amount paid
- Frawley, John$421,176Dir Zoological Gardens
- Mosher, Abigail E$163,030Agency Div Director Sr
- Kromschroeder, Sherry$161,019Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Garity, Susan C$149,247Veterinarian
- Pearson, Dawn Renee$146,607Human Resources Director 3
- Tillery, Otha$146,607Plant Mgmt Dir
- Kochevar, Randall$144,059Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Hoye, Pamela Ann$134,577State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Highest paid as Painter
FY 2026, amount paid
- Johnson, Eric T$70,785Corrections Dept
- Drake, Dirk J$70,543Corrections Dept
- Huberty, James G$70,540MN St Colleges & Universities
- Olson, Mitchell L$70,495Direct Care and Treatment
- Leshkovich, Igor$70,293Veterans Affairs Dept
- Quevedo, Alan Julian$70,268Veterans Affairs Dept
- MacArthur, Robert$70,228MN St Colleges & Universities
- Klepaida, George R$70,050Corrections Dept