Zweifel, Debora
Zoo KeeperMinnesota Zoological GardenDakota CountyFull-time
Tropics & MN Trail. 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 2014 to FY 2024, pay went down 41% while consumer prices went up 32%. After inflation, pay is down 55% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | $29,255 | +78.7% | +3.3% | +73.0% |
| FY 2023 | $16,367 | −69.2% | +6.3% | −71.0% |
| FY 2022 | $53,165 | +68.7% | +7.2% | +57.4% |
| FY 2021 | $31,515 | +6.5% | +2.3% | +4.1% |
| FY 2020 | $29,594 | −46.1% | +1.6% | −46.9% |
| FY 2019 | $54,863 | +7.9% | +2.1% | +5.7% |
| FY 2018 | $50,869 | −7.9% | +2.3% | −10.0% |
| FY 2017 | $55,254 | +3.7% | +1.8% | +1.8% |
| FY 2016 | $53,300 | +4.1% | +0.7% | +3.4% |
| FY 2015 | $51,199 | +3.4% | +0.7% | +2.6% |
| FY 2014 | $49,517 | — | — | — |
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 Keeper
Paid more than 23% of the 62 people with this job title that year. The median was $51,405.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
11 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics & MN Trail | Zoo Keeper Full-time · left during year | Dakota | $31.38 /hr | — | $29,255 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.74 /hr | — | $16,367 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Indoor Animals | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $29.01 /hr | $348 | $53,165 |
| 2021 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $28.30 /hr | — | $31,515 |
| 2020 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.61 /hr | — | $29,594 |
| 2019 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Tropics | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $27.00 /hr | — | $54,863 |
| 2018 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Animal Health | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $26.41 /hr | — | $50,869 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Animal Health | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.89 /hr | $1,049 | $55,254 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Zoological Garden Animal Health | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $25.26 /hr | — | $53,300 |
| 2015 | MN Zoological Garden Animal Health | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $24.64 /hr | — | $51,199 |
| 2014 | MN Zoological Garden Animal Health | Zoo Keeper Full-time | Dakota | $23.92 /hr | — | $49,517 |
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 Keeper
FY 2024, amount paid
- Grill, Jessica$72,590Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Molitor, Kristi L$72,246Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Smith, Bridget E$70,418Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Sutton, Benjamin A$69,405Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Gabrielson, Kelli M$68,200Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Rodeback, Carsen James$67,878Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Reece, Eric$67,787Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Anderson, Karla J$66,444Minnesota Zoological Garden