Pase, Kelsey
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Outreach Program Area. 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 2013 to FY 2016, pay went up 483% while consumer prices went up 3%. After inflation, pay is up 466% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2016 | $8,525 | +71.3% | +0.7% | +70.1% |
| FY 2015 | $4,977 | −15.6% | +0.7% | −16.2% |
| FY 2014 | $5,896 | +303.0% | +1.6% | +296.8% |
| FY 2013 | $1,463 | — | — | — |
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 2016 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 55% of the 89 people with this job title that year. The median was $6,960.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
4 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Outreach Program Area | Interpret Naturalist 1 Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $17.76 /hr | — | $8,525 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Farm | Interpret Guide Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $15.52 /hr | — | $4,977 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Farm | Interpret Guide Part-time | Dakota | $15.07 /hr | — | $5,896 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Farm | Interpret Guide Part-time | Dakota | $14.63 /hr | — | $1,463 |
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 2016, amount paid
- Willis, Kevin$127,149Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Ehmke, Lee C.$116,998Dir Zoological Gardens
- Burns, Elizabeth$105,240Zoo Strategic Services Dir
- Rasmussen, James M$103,460Veterinarian Senior
- Ramlall, Dhanmati S$101,579Accounting Officer Senior
- Fisher, Anthony J$101,497Zoo Conservation Manager
- Willis, Doranne Beth Leilani$99,424Zoo Sales & Marketing Manager
- Edwards, Lucinda M$97,862State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Highest paid as Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2016, amount paid
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$57,335Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Beem, Jennifer J$56,732Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$56,544Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Devens, Dawn$54,984Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Benusa, Ann M$54,946Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$53,532Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Crook, Donald A$52,637Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Ness, Christine I$50,144Minnesota Zoological Garden