Weidner, Michelle
Interpret Naturalist 1Minnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyPart-time
Zoo Camp. 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 2017 to FY 2024, pay went up 137% while consumer prices went up 28%. After inflation, pay is up 86% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | $4,649 | +6.3% | +3.3% | +2.9% |
| FY 2023 | $4,375 | — | — | — |
| FY 2020 | $6,135 | −29.4% | +1.6% | −30.5% |
| FY 2019 | $8,685 | +39.6% | +2.1% | +36.7% |
| FY 2018 | $6,222 | +216.8% | +2.3% | +209.8% |
| FY 2017 | $1,964 | — | — | — |
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 · Interpret Naturalist 1
Paid more than 37% of the 76 people with this job title that year. The median was $6,667.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
6 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Zoo Camp | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $27.58 /hr | — | $4,649 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Zoo Camp | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $26.14 /hr | — | $4,375 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Community Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time · left during year | Dakota | $21.93 /hr | $112 | $6,135 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $20.83 /hr | — | $8,685 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $19.68 /hr | — | $6,222 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Education Programs | Interpret Naturalist 1 Part-time | Dakota | $18.66 /hr | — | $1,964 |
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 Interpret Naturalist 1
FY 2024, amount paid
- Kluever, Michaela E$70,777Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Tasa, Alexandria Z$70,736Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Mochinski, Laurel Lee$70,541Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Endert, Emily Beth$70,426Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Crook, Donald A$70,108Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Armstrong, Judy C$70,011Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Ness, Christine I$68,150Minnesota Zoological Garden
- McDermott, Taryn Marie$62,376Minnesota Zoological Garden