Simonson, Jennifer Lee
Zoo KeeperMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Tropics & MN Trail Cur. 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 2026, pay went up 4,505% while consumer prices went up 44%. After inflation, pay is up 3,098% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $64,231 | +22.4% | +3.1% | +18.7% |
| FY 2025 | $52,479 | — | — | — |
| FY 2019 | $8,466 | +1,547.6% | +2.1% | +1,514.2% |
| FY 2018 | $514 | — | — | — |
| FY 2014 | $6,110 | −10.6% | +1.6% | −12.0% |
| FY 2013 | $6,837 | +390.2% | +1.7% | +382.1% |
| FY 2012 | $1,395 | — | — | — |
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 · Zoo Keeper
Paid more than 55% of the 71 people with this job title that year. The median was $62,630.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
7 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics & MN Trail Cur | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.68 /hr | $1,591 | $64,231 |
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics & MN Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $28.35 /hr | $2,051 | $52,479 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $19.46 /hr | $600 | $8,466 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $19.03 /hr | — | $514 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $16.74 /hr | — | $6,110 |
| 2013 | MN Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $16.74 /hr | — | $6,837 |
| 2012 | MN Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $16.41 /hr | — | $1,395 |
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 Zoo Keeper
FY 2026, amount paid
- Smith, Bridget E$79,567Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Minerich, Benjamin Joseph$77,720Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Sutton, Benjamin A$77,072Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Grill, Jessica$77,030Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gabrielson, Kelli M$76,914Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Heffernan, Katherine$75,890Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Molitor, Kristi L$75,086Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Reece, Eric$74,848Minnesota Zoological Garden