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Pearson, Dawn Renee

Human Resources Director 3Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time

Chief Operating Office. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.

Total paid
$914,669
over 9 fiscal years
Latest year
$146,607
FY 2026
Highest year
$146,607
FY 2026
Yearly average
$101,630
across years on record
Change since first year
+93%
FY 2016 to FY 2026 · prices +38%

Pay by fiscal year

Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K201620182020202220242026
Paid in yearFY 2016 pay grown with consumer prices (CPI)

From FY 2016 to FY 2026, pay went up 93% while consumer prices went up 38%. After inflation, pay is up 40% (it beat inflation).

YearPaidChangePrices (CPI)After inflation
FY 2026$146,607+1.6%+3.1%−1.5%
FY 2025$144,327+4.5%+2.6%+1.8%
FY 2024$138,077+1,725.8%+3.3%+1,667.5%
FY 2023$7,562———
FY 2020$78,321−31.4%+1.6%−32.5%
FY 2019$114,173+7.2%+2.1%+5.0%
FY 2018$106,510+3.3%+2.3%+1.0%
FY 2017$103,149+35.8%+1.8%+33.4%
FY 2016$75,943———

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 · Human Resources Director 3

Paid more than 55% of the 33 people with this job title that year. The median was $146,155.

Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.

See everyone with this job title

Every record

9 records, newest first

FYAgencyJob titleCountyBase payOvertimePaid
2026Minnesota Zoological Garden
Chief Operating Office
Human Resources Director 3
Full-time
Dakota$70.52 /hr—$146,607
2025Minnesota Zoological Garden
Chief Operating Office
Human Resources Director 3
Full-time
Dakota$69.48 /hr—$144,327
2024Minnesota Zoological Garden
Chief Operating Office
Human Resources Director 3
Full-time
Dakota$66.49 /hr—$138,077
2023Minnesota Zoological Garden
Chief Operating Office
Human Resources Director 3
Full-time
Dakota$63.02 /hr—$7,562
2020MN St Colleges & Universities
MnSCU S Cntrl Mankato TC Admin
MnSCU Administrator 6
Full-time · left during year
Blue Earth——$78,321
2019MN St Colleges & Universities
MnSCU S Cntrl Mankato TC Admin
MnSCU Administrator 4
Full-time
Blue Earth$4,215 /2 wk—$114,173
2018MN St Colleges & Universities
MnSCU S Cntrl Mankato TC Admin
MnSCU Administrator 4
Full-time
Blue Earth$4,001 /2 wk—$106,510
2017MN St Colleges & Universities
MnSCU S Cntrl Mankato TC Admin
MnSCU Administrator 4
Full-time
Blue Earth$3,986 /2 wk—$103,149
2016MN St Colleges & Universities
MnSCU S Cntrl Mankato TC Admin
MnSCU Administrator 4
Full-time
Blue Earth$3,855 /2 wk—$75,943

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

Highest paid as Human Resources Director 3

FY 2026, amount paid