Sanford, James Robert
Zoo SupervisorMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Animal Care. 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 2012 to FY 2024, pay went up 762% while consumer prices went up 36%. After inflation, pay is up 534% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | $59,894 | −24.6% | +3.3% | −27.0% |
| FY 2023 | $79,415 | +22.8% | +6.3% | +15.6% |
| FY 2022 | $64,655 | +10.3% | +7.2% | +2.9% |
| FY 2021 | $58,643 | +2.4% | +2.3% | +0.1% |
| FY 2020 | $57,277 | +3.9% | +1.6% | +2.3% |
| FY 2019 | $55,107 | +3.8% | +2.1% | +1.7% |
| FY 2018 | $53,101 | +11.4% | +2.3% | +8.9% |
| FY 2017 | $47,674 | +10.3% | +1.8% | +8.3% |
| FY 2016 | $43,216 | +4.6% | +0.7% | +3.9% |
| FY 2015 | $41,311 | +3.5% | +0.7% | +2.7% |
| FY 2014 | $39,920 | +56.9% | +1.6% | +54.4% |
| FY 2013 | $25,450 | +266.3% | +1.7% | +260.3% |
| FY 2012 | $6,948 | — | — | — |
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 2024 · Zoo Supervisor
Paid more than 0% of the 7 people with this job title that year. The median was $93,222.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
13 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Animal Care | Zoo Supervisor Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $38.74 /hr | $447 | $59,894 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Biological Programs Office | Zoo Supervisor Full-time | Dakota | $35.34 /hr | $2,056 | $79,415 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Biological Programs Office | State Prog Admin Supervisor Full-time | Dakota | $33.27 /hr | $1,202 | $64,655 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Biological Programs Office | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $26.74 /hr | $2,446 | $58,643 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Biological Programs Office | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.38 /hr | $1,430 | $57,277 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Conservation Manager Office | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.18 /hr | $1,571 | $55,107 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Conservation Manager Office | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.72 /hr | $1,286 | $53,101 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $24.32 /hr | $1,344 | $47,674 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $20.67 /hr | $438 | $43,216 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $19.57 /hr | $1,162 | $41,311 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Northern Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $18.49 /hr | $1,976 | $39,920 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Part-time | Dakota | $17.47 /hr | $2,276 | $25,450 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Part-time | Dakota | $16.17 /hr | $588 | $6,948 |
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 2024, amount paid
- Frawley, John$402,256Dir Zoological Gardens
- Cowen, Amy Ritter$164,783Zoo Deputy Director
- Mosher, Abigail E$157,225Admin Agency Div Director Sr
- Kromschroeder, Sherry$147,041Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Pearson, Dawn Renee$138,077Human Resources Director 3
- Tillery, Otha$138,077Plant Mgmt Dir
- Hall, Geoffrey$135,298Zoo Animal Programs Director
- Garity, Susan C$134,702Veterinarian
Highest paid as Zoo Supervisor
FY 2024, amount paid
- Mitchell, John Rex$96,094Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Weinhardt-Treangen, Diana L$95,898Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Toste, Jamie L$95,395Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Thomas, Kimberly$93,222Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Noetzli, Christoph$84,025Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Barney, Breanne Rose$77,466Minnesota Zoological Garden