Minnesota Zoo Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Minnesota Zoo in the United States is $49. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $102,421. Salaries at Minnesota Zoo typically range from $43 to $56 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Minnesota Zoo

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Is Minnesota Zoo’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Minnesota Zoo's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Minnesota BOARD OF bókhalds $51
+3.9%
Data suggests Minnesota BOARD OF bókhalds's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
Morristown High School $48
-2.5%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
The World Forum Foundation $40
-17.8%
The World Forum Foundation likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
Arlington City Council $42
-14.5%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like Arlington City Council.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $56
+12.6%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Minnesota Zoo

Considering a career at Minnesota Zoo? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Communication is clear, and performance feedback is consistently constructive. Collaborative teams and excellent resources help me thrive every day. Transparent decision-making builds trust organization-wide. Made archival retrieval instant. Employees are regularly recognized for their efforts, which boosts morale and motivation.
Overall a stable and supportive environment. Coworkers are cooperative, and departments work well together. While there are processes to follow, they ensure fairness and consistency.
The environment encourages open communication, collaboration, and innovation, allowing everyone to contribute meaningfully. Extremely courteous and thorough in all interactions. Generally responsive and polite, though occasional delays can occur.
Coworkers are dedicated professionals who support each other. Reliable, informed, and focused on student and citizen outcomes. The organization provides excellent professional development opportunities and values continuous learning. Employees benefit from a culture that encourages professional growth, innovation, and open dialogue. It’s a highly stable job with a clear mission. With staff members...
A strong team that values transparency and community service. Flexibility and open dialogue are encouraged, and leadership takes staff feedback seriously. The organization's commitment to educational equity makes coming to work meaningful every single day.

Minnesota Zoo Overview

Website
www.mnzoo.org
Founded In
1978
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
13000 Zoo Blvd Apple Valley Minnesota MN 55124
Revenue
$5 Million - $10 Million
Phone Number
+1 9524319200
Social Media
About Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo is a year-round destination located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. The Zoo's mission is to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.

What Benefits Does Minnesota Zoo Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Minnesota Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Saint Paul?

Understanding the cost of living near Saint Paul is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Minnesota Zoo.
Saint Paul's Cost of Living Index is approximately 101.5 (1.5% more expensive than US average; 4.5% more than MN average). State capital, slightly more affordable housing than Minneapolis. Metro Transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Minnesota Zoo, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,300 - $1,900+ A significant portion of Minnesota Zoo salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $230 (Heating significant) Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $120 (Metro Transit monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $420 - $620 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $750+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $380 - $700+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,750 - $4,200+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Minnesota Zoo

1. How much does a Minnesota Zoo employee make?

Minnesota Zoo pays its employees an average of $49 per hour. The average salary at Minnesota Zoo range from $43 to $56 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Minnesota Zoo?

The salary at Minnesota Zoo is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Minnesota Zoo is $102,421, or an hourly wage of $49, in comparison to Minnesota BOARD OF bókhalds which pays $106,377 per year or $51 per hour.

3. How much does a Secretary typically earn at Minnesota Zoo?

A Secretary at Minnesota Zoo typically earns an average hourly base salary of around $106, with a general range of $86 to $132.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Minnesota Zoo?

In many roles at Minnesota Zoo, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Saint Paul affect the perceived value of a Minnesota Zoo salary?

Saint Paul's Cost of Living Index is approximately 101.5 (1.5% more expensive than US average; 4.5% more than MN average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Minnesota Zoo based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Saint Paul" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Minnesota Zoo typically offer employees?

Minnesota Zoo generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Minnesota Zoo" section on this page.