How much does a fish and game warden make?
The median fish and game warden in the United States earns $74,060 per year, about $35.60 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fish and game wardens earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-3031.
Fish and game warden salary range
Pay for fish and game wardens spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,980. The average (mean) wage of $74,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,990 | $24.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,430 | $29.53 | |
| Median (50th) | $74,060 | $35.60 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $89,110 | $42.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,980 | $48.55 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fish and game wardens (SOC 33-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Fish and game warden salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fish and game wardens earn the most in California at $100,090 a year, and the least in Florida at $31,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $100,090 | 330 |
| Iowa | $98,260 | 120 |
| Indiana | $93,990 | 170 |
| Nevada | $91,750 | 50 |
| Maryland | $89,300 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 | 150 |
| Michigan | $87,460 | 210 |
| Texas | $85,980 | 490 |
| New York | $80,060 | 390 |
| North Dakota | $79,520 | 30 |
| Georgia | $79,440 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $75,930 | 220 |
| Ohio | $75,880 | 160 |
| Vermont | $74,940 | 40 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | 160 |
| Wyoming | $74,060 | 70 |
| Maine | $73,260 | 190 |
| Idaho | $73,200 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $72,920 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $72,200 | 80 |
| Missouri | $70,030 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $69,250 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $69,120 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $68,810 | 100 |
| Virginia | $66,540 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $65,400 | 90 |
| Nebraska | $63,000 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $62,530 | 110 |
| Kansas | $61,840 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $61,430 | 190 |
| Louisiana | $59,940 | 110 |
| Montana | $59,490 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $54,570 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 | 80 |
| Florida | $31,200 | 290 |
State median wages for fish and game wardens (SOC 33-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fish and game wardens
The BLS projects employment of fish and game wardens to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for fish and game wardens. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a fish and game warden
The typical entry-level education for fish and game wardens is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fish and game warden earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $100,090) and the lowest (Florida, $31,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,770 people work as fish and game wardens in the United States. At $74,060 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fish and game warden salary FAQ
How much does a fish and game warden make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fish and game warden is $35.60. The middle half of fish and game wardens earn between $29.53 and $42.84 per hour.
What is the highest fish and game warden salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fish and game wardens earn more than $100,980 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fish and game warden make a year?
The median annual salary for a fish and game warden is $74,060. The average (mean) wage of $74,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a fish and game warden a well paid job?
At $74,060 a year, a fish and game warden earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,770 people work as fish and game wardens in the United States.
Which state pays fish and game wardens the most?
California has the highest median salary for fish and game wardens at $100,090 a year. Iowa ($98,260) and Indiana ($93,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a fish and game warden a good career?
Employment of fish and game wardens is projected to shrink 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fish and game warden?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fish and game wardens as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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