Ondricek, Melissa A
Zoo KeeperMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Indoor Animals. 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 2016 to FY 2023, pay went down 24% while consumer prices went up 26%. After inflation, pay is down 40% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2023 | $35,424 | −42.0% | +6.3% | −45.5% |
| FY 2022 | $61,113 | +1.6% | +7.2% | −5.2% |
| FY 2021 | $60,140 | +12.6% | +2.3% | +10.1% |
| FY 2020 | $53,387 | −1.1% | +1.6% | −2.7% |
| FY 2019 | $54,002 | +5.9% | +2.1% | +3.8% |
| FY 2018 | $50,990 | +2.3% | +2.3% | +0.1% |
| FY 2017 | $49,830 | +6.6% | +1.8% | +4.7% |
| FY 2016 | $46,749 | — | — | — |
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 2023 · Zoo Keeper
Paid more than 31% of the 52 people with this job title that year. The median was $53,233.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
8 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $29.74 /hr | — | $35,424 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.01 /hr | $1,189 | $61,113 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $28.30 /hr | $736 | $60,140 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.61 /hr | — | $53,387 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $26.27 /hr | $626 | $54,002 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $24.96 /hr | — | $50,990 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $23.79 /hr | $139 | $49,830 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $22.53 /hr | $189 | $46,749 |
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 2023, amount paid
- Frawley, John$332,014Dir Zoological Gardens
- Cowen, Amy Ritter$167,571Zoo Deputy Director
- Mosher, Abigail E$151,745Admin Agency Div Director Sr
- Kromschroeder, Sherry$141,574Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Rivas, Anne Elizabeth$122,798Zoo Conservation Manager
- Madole, Jessica Marie$121,866State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Tillery, Otha$121,377Plant Mgmt Dir
- Strecker, Carol E$114,776Zoo Education Director
Highest paid as Zoo Keeper
FY 2023, amount paid
- Molitor, Kristi L$69,809Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Grill, Jessica$68,721Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Smith, Bridget E$68,309Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Anderson, Karla J$67,705Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Sutton, Benjamin A$67,638Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Reedstrom, Maria A$67,510Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gabrielson, Kelli M$67,177Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Keniger, Adam E$67,110Minnesota Zoological Garden