Smith, Megan Anne
Interpret Naturalist AideMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Marine Mammals. 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 2022 to FY 2026, pay went up 2,121% while consumer prices went up 16%. After inflation, pay is up 1,811% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $47,666 | +1.3% | +3.1% | −1.7% |
| FY 2025 | $47,040 | +10.1% | +2.6% | +7.3% |
| FY 2024 | $42,731 | +9.2% | +3.3% | +5.7% |
| FY 2023 | $39,134 | +1,723.2% | +6.3% | +1,615.7% |
| FY 2022 | $2,147 | — | — | — |
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 · Interpret Naturalist Aide
Paid more than 50% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $42,043.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
5 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Marine Mammals | Interpret Naturalist Aide Full-time | Dakota | $22.91 /hr | $1,478 | $47,666 |
| 2025 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Interpret Naturalist Aide Full-time | Dakota | $22.57 /hr | $1,137 | $47,040 |
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Interpret Naturalist Aide Full-time | Dakota | $20.64 /hr | $1,271 | $42,731 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Aquatics | Laborer General Full-time | Dakota | $17.64 /hr | $2,043 | $39,134 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Floating Care Team | Student Worker Para Prof Full-time | Dakota | $15.90 /hr | $239 | $2,147 |
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 Interpret Naturalist Aide
FY 2026, amount paid
- Mikelson, Debra L$60,058Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Waldoch, Courtney Pierce$54,562Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Standish, Carly Jean$49,960Minnesota Zoological Garden
- DeMarais, Bailey$36,420Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gutierrez Luna, Alan$32,747Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Peterson, Naome$4,971Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Backus, Katherine Mary$2,685Minnesota Zoological Garden