POWELL, OH and ZANESVILLE, OH – The Columbus Zoo Family of Parks minimum wage is increasing to $13 per hour, starting immediately. 

Family of Parks President and CEO Tom Schmid recently announced to staff at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, Safari Golf Club, and Zoombezi Bay that the minimum wage will be increased to $15 per hour by 2024.  

"This summer, we will be raising our minimum wage to $13 per hour, including our teams at The Wilds," said Schmid, who is starting his fourth month as CEO. This increase puts the Family of Parks well over the state’s minimum wage at $9.30 an hour.

The change will benefit 95 percent of current seasonal employees in addition to new hires. Five percent of employees are already above the $13 threshold. Tipped positions remain at minimum wage.

The Columbus Zoo Family of Parks needs to fill 1,700+ seasonal positions to get ready for the busy summer season. Currently, various year-round positions are open in central Ohio and at The Wilds, near Zanesville.

"Our staff are our top priority. Raising our minimum wage will allow us to be more competitive in our local labor marketplace and help lift more of our teams and their families," Schmid said.

In a recent OXFAM International report, over two million workers (over one-third of all workers) in Ohio make less than $15 per hour, and this falls disproportionately on working women, of which 46 percent earn less than $15 per hour. Unfortunately, Ohio’s numbers are higher than the national average.

"This is the right step to take care of our teams and get us to a place where we can attract and retain skilled and talented individuals. Investing in our team members is vital to the livelihood of our Family of Parks and, in turn to our community,” said Schmid.

In 2021, the Family of Parks welcomed 2.7 million guests and is a top family destination in Ohio. The Family of Parks employs more than 2,345 employees and seasonal staff on an annual basis. 

For a successful summer season, the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks needs to hire 1,700+ seasonal positions in food and beverage, facilities, guest relations, security, membership processing, rides, lifeguards, and retail.

“At this time, we are very focused on hiring and training lifeguards for Zoombezi Bay and food and beverage positions throughout all our parks,” said Anthony Sabo, VP of Waterpark Operations and Guest Services. 

With the increase, lifeguards will be paid $15 per hour and Zoombezi Bay will continue to pay for the employee’s lifeguard certification, a $115 value. For those ages 19 and over, food and beverage employees will start at $17 per hour at the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay. 

Open interviews for the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeside Pavilion, near the Zoo’s entrance.

At The Wilds, open interviews will be held Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. – Noon, at the Overlook (cafeteria/ gift store). 

For a list of all open positions, visit our job page.