The median pay for Fish and Game Wardens is $74,060 a year ($35.60/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 5.7% through 2035, with about 500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 33-3031
- Protective Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Fish and Game Warden in four numbers
- Median pay
- $74,060a year, or $35.60/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $51KTop 10% $101K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5006,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20256.2K
- Projected 20355.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 6.2K Projected 2035 5.8K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Conservation Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, Conservation Warden, Fish and Game Constable, Game Warden, Refuge Officer.
Pay
How much do Fish and Game Wardens make?
Every fish and game warden in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$74,060
Middle half earn $61,430 to $89,110
- 10th
- $50,990
- 25th
- $61,430
- 75th
- $89,110
- 90th
- $100,980
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,990 |
| 25th | $61,430 |
| Median | $74,060 |
| 75th | $89,110 |
| 90th | $100,980 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $74,060
- Median hourly wage
- $35.60/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $74,950
- People employed
- 5,770
Versus all US occupations
At $74,060, Fish and Game Wardens earn 45% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $23,080 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
The median is typical for the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $74,060.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $100,980 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,990, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 48% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($100,090), but once local prices are taken into account Iowa leads at $111,962 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Fish and Game Wardens the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $100,090 | $90,399 | 330 |
| 2Iowa | $98,260 | $111,962 | 120 |
| 3Indiana | $93,990 | $100,708 | 170 |
| 4Nevada | $91,750 | $91,769 | 50 |
| 5Maryland | $89,300 | $85,081 | 60 |
| 6Wisconsin | $89,110 | $94,702 | 150 |
| 7Michigan | $87,460 | $90,899 | 210 |
| 8Texas | $85,980 | $88,587 | 490 |
| 9New York | $80,060 | $74,184 | 390 |
| 10North Dakota | $79,520 | $89,389 | 30 |
Job outlook
Is Fish and Game Warden a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Fish and Game Wardens | −5.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Fish and Game Wardens to change -5.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 500 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 6,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of police and detectives varies by occupation (see table).
A desire for public safety may result in a need for more officers. However, demand for employment is expected to vary by location, driven largely by local and state budgets. Even when crime rates fall, demand for police services to maintain public safety is expected to continue.
Getting in
How to become a Fish and Game Warden
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications. A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Fish and Game Warden do?
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of crimes.
Day-to-day tasks
- Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
- Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
- Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
- Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
- Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
- Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
- Recommend revisions in hunting and trapping regulations or in animal management programs so that wildlife balances or habitats can be maintained.
- Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most police and detectives work full time. Paid overtime is common, and shift work is necessary to protect the public at all times.
FBI special agents must work at least 50 hours a week and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Persuasion3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Map creation software
- Mobile location based services software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Fish and Game Warden?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Fish and Game Warden |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.4
- Conventional4.2
- Investigative3.9
- Enterprising3.0
- Social2.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Fish and Game Warden
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Protective Service
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Protective Service
Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist
$56,870median a year
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+13.1%High school
- Fishing and Hunting Worker · N/A median
More protective service careers
Median annual pay, with fish and game wardens highlighted
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$93,790
- Intelligence Analyst$93,790
- Police Officer$76,210
- Custom and Border Protection Officer$76,210
- Fish and Game Warden$74,060
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$58,940
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Security Guard$38,020
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $93,790 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 |
| Custom and Border Protection Officer | $76,210 |
| Fish and Game Warden | $74,060 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within fish and game warden
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Fish and Game Warden appears on
Questions
Fish and Game Warden: frequently asked questions
How much do Fish and Game Wardens make?
Fish and Game Wardens earn a median of $74,060 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 45% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $35.60/hr. The middle half earn between $61,430 and $89,110. The top 10% earn $100,980 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Fish and Game Warden?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Fish and Game Wardens, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Fish and Game Warden a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Fish and Game Warden do?
Police officers protect lives and property. A core O*NET task: protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems. Employers most often ask for Configuration management software, Object or component oriented development software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Fish and Game Wardens the most?
The highest state medians for Fish and Game Wardens are California ($100,090), Iowa ($98,260), Indiana ($93,990) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Iowa moves to the top at $111,962.
What personality type suits a Fish and Game Warden?
O*NET scores Fish and Game Wardens highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.