Peterson, Daniel J
ZoologistMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Aquariums. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Different people with the same name: Corrections Dept, FY 2026 · MN Zoological Garden, FY 2015 · MN St Colleges & Universities, FY 2014
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2016 to FY 2026, pay went up 30% while consumer prices went up 38%. After inflation, pay is down 6% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $88,414 | +1.3% | +3.1% | −1.8% |
| FY 2025 | $87,311 | +3.9% | +2.6% | +1.2% |
| FY 2024 | $84,024 | −1.0% | +3.3% | −4.1% |
| FY 2023 | $84,846 | +9.6% | +6.3% | +3.1% |
| FY 2022 | $77,416 | +2.8% | +7.2% | −4.1% |
| FY 2021 | $75,284 | +1.7% | +2.3% | −0.5% |
| FY 2020 | $73,991 | +0.7% | +1.6% | −0.9% |
| FY 2019 | $73,511 | +1.8% | +2.1% | −0.3% |
| FY 2018 | $72,232 | +2.4% | +2.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2017 | $70,510 | +3.6% | +1.8% | +1.7% |
| FY 2016 | $68,048 | — | — | — |
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 · Zoologist
Paid more than 50% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $87,956.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
11 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $41.43 /hr | $958 | $88,414 |
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $40.82 /hr | $587 | $87,311 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $39.06 /hr | $1,211 | $84,024 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $37.02 /hr | $2,051 | $84,846 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $36.12 /hr | $954 | $77,416 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $35.24 /hr | $960 | $75,284 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $34.38 /hr | $709 | $73,991 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $33.62 /hr | $1,849 | $73,511 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $32.88 /hr | $1,133 | $72,232 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $32.24 /hr | $1,060 | $70,510 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquariums | Zoologist Full-time | Dakota | $31.45 /hr | $1,011 | $68,048 |
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 Zoologist
FY 2026, amount paid
- Roubinek, Gail Jean$93,949Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Walker, Dawn$92,765Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Hubred, Ben I$90,103Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Grace, Terah S$87,497Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Fischer, Trista Nicole$80,235Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Keniger, Adam E$77,709Minnesota Zoological Garden
- McDermott, Taryn Marie$72,142Minnesota Zoological Garden