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Sarkela, Nick Dane

Electromechanical Systems SpecMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time

Engineering. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.

Total paid
$673,402
over 9 fiscal years
Latest year
$93,922
FY 2026 · $1,451 overtime
Highest year
$93,922
FY 2026
Yearly average
$74,822
across years on record
Change since first year
+4,392%
FY 2018 to FY 2026 · prices +32%

Pay by fiscal year

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

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K$2,0912018$71,0952019$75,3662020$79,4252021$83,0502022$89,4262023$87,4772024$91,5512025$93,9222026
Paid in yearFY 2018 pay grown with consumer prices (CPI)

From FY 2018 to FY 2026, pay went up 4,392% while consumer prices went up 32%. After inflation, pay is up 3,301% (it beat inflation).

Pay change each fiscal year compared with consumer prices
YearPaidChangePrices (CPI)After inflation
FY 2026$93,922+2.6%+3.1%−0.5%
FY 2025$91,551+4.7%+2.6%+2.0%
FY 2024$87,477−2.2%+3.3%−5.3%
FY 2023$89,426+7.7%+6.3%+1.3%
FY 2022$83,050+4.6%+7.2%−2.4%
FY 2021$79,425+5.4%+2.3%+3.0%
FY 2020$75,366+6.0%+1.6%+4.4%
FY 2019$71,095+3,300.0%+2.1%+3,231.0%
FY 2018$2,091———

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 · Electromechanical Systems Spec

Paid more than 83% of the 6 people with this job title that year. The median was $88,473.

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

Every pay record for Sarkela, Nick Dane
FYAgencyJob titleCountyBase payOvertimePaid
2026Minnesota Zoological Garden
Engineering
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$44.48 /hr$1,451$93,922
2025Minnesota Zoological Garden
Planning,Construction&Exhibits
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$43.82 /hr$526$91,551
2024Minnesota Zoological Garden
Planning,Construction&Exhibits
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$41.93 /hr$402$87,477
2023Minnesota Zoological Garden
Project Management
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$39.74 /hr$946$89,426
2022Minnesota Zoological Garden
Project Management
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$38.77 /hr$901$83,050
2021Minnesota Zoological Garden
Project Management
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$37.82 /hr—$79,425
2020Minnesota Zoological Garden
Engineering & Heat Plant
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$36.90 /hr$388$75,366
2019Minnesota Zoological Garden
Physical Plant
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$34.86 /hr$202$71,095
2018Minnesota Zoological Garden
Physical Plant
Electromechanical Systems Spec
Full-time
Dakota$32.88 /hr—$2,091

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 Electromechanical Systems Spec

FY 2026, amount paid