Opheim, Ernest
Stationary EngineerMN Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Heating Plant. 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 2015, pay went down 32% while consumer prices went up 7%. After inflation, pay is down 36% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2015 | $32,606 | −37.5% | +0.7% | −37.9% |
| FY 2014 | $52,138 | +9.1% | +1.6% | +7.4% |
| FY 2013 | $47,796 | −3.7% | +1.7% | −5.3% |
| FY 2012 | $49,658 | +3.6% | +2.9% | +0.7% |
| FY 2011 | $47,924 | — | — | — |
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 2015 · Stationary Engineer
Paid more than 26% of the 43 people with this job title that year. The median was $55,320.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Heating Plant | Stationary Engineer Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $25.56 /hr | $1,764 | $32,606 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Heating Plant | Stationary Engineer Full-time | Dakota | $24.82 /hr | $883 | $52,138 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Heating Plant | Stationary Engineer Full-time | Dakota | $23.45 /hr | — | $47,796 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Heating Plant | Stationary Engineer Full-time | Dakota | $22.99 /hr | — | $49,658 |
| 2011 | MN Zoological Garden Heating Plant | Stationary Engineer Full-time | Dakota | $22.99 /hr | — | $47,924 |
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 MN Zoological Garden
FY 2015, amount paid
- Ehmke, Lee C.$247,437Dir Zoological Gardens
- Braziel, Connie$125,579Zoo Deputy Director
- Willis, Kevin$112,393Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Kornack, Kenneth M$108,290State Prog Admin Manager Prin
- Burns, Elizabeth$99,194Zoo Strategic Services Dir
- Rasmussen, James M$97,730Veterinarian Senior
- Edwards, Lucinda M$97,182State Prog Admin Manager Sr
- Fisher, Anthony J$90,819Zoo Conservation Manager
Highest paid as Stationary Engineer
FY 2015, amount paid
- Caulkins, Gerald E$81,640MN Zoological Garden
- Schwichtenberg, Joel$65,099MN Zoological Garden
- Bernier, Daryl$61,699Veterans Affairs Dept
- Hunt, Rory Owen$60,054MN St Colleges & Universities
- Glenz, William B$59,354MN Zoological Garden
- Mullenmeister, Daniel H$59,161Veterans Affairs Dept
- Sletta, Scott E$58,249Corrections Dept
- Lohman, Terry W$57,796Veterans Affairs Dept