Fish and Game Warden Salary
Fish and Game Wardens earn a median $74,060 a year nationally. Protective Service Occupations
What fish and game wardens do
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.7% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 500
Employment of fish and game wardens is projected to shrink 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Fish and Game Warden take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,463
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,592
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,074
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$60,931
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,990 | $24.51 | $43,150 |
| 25th percentile | $61,430 | $29.53 | $51,539 |
| Median (50th) | $74,060 | $35.61 | $60,931 |
| 75th percentile | $89,110 | $42.84 | $71,519 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,980 | $48.55 | $79,869 |
Fish and Game Warden salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,090 | +5.4% | $72,863 | $69,710 – $116,330 | 330 |
| Iowa | $98,260 | +6.5% | $74,874 | $63,400 – $98,260 | 120 |
| Indiana | $93,990 | −6.0% | $72,209 | $65,990 – $111,990 | 170 |
| Nevada | $91,750 | +8.9% | $73,376 | $64,040 – $110,200 | 50 |
| Maryland | $89,300 | +2.4% | $67,774 | $81,000 – $100,980 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 | — | $68,177 | $61,530 – $89,110 | 150 |
| Michigan | $87,460 | — | $66,892 | $69,390 – $99,440 | 210 |
| Texas | $85,980 | +5.0% | $69,317 | $55,430 – $98,070 | 490 |
| New York | $80,060 | +5.6% | $61,426 | $66,190 – $96,050 | 390 |
| North Dakota | $79,520 | −0.9% | $64,481 | $61,430 – $103,250 | 30 |
| Georgia | $79,440 | +8.1% | $61,216 | $59,470 – $93,930 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $75,930 | +0.0% | $62,247 | $63,690 – $95,050 | 220 |
| Ohio | $75,880 | −1.3% | $60,907 | $56,620 – $100,710 | 160 |
| Vermont | $74,940 | +4.5% | $59,064 | $55,710 – $86,810 | 40 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | +4.5% | $57,644 | $44,450 – $88,510 | 160 |
| Wyoming | $74,060 | +0.0% | $60,931 | $50,150 – $77,960 | 70 |
| Maine | $73,260 | +3.0% | $56,605 | $57,080 – $79,330 | 190 |
| Idaho | $73,200 | +4.1% | $57,555 | $55,370 – $96,660 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $72,920 | +12.3% | $57,648 | $44,450 – $114,320 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $72,200 | +3.0% | $57,020 | $51,000 – $90,360 | 80 |
| Missouri | $70,030 | +13.4% | $55,742 | $52,890 – $76,170 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $69,250 | −2.2% | $53,815 | $60,670 – $101,300 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $69,120 | +27.3% | $54,891 | $53,060 – $88,590 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $68,810 | +8.4% | $57,238 | $37,170 – $84,860 | 100 |
| Virginia | $66,540 | +10.9% | $52,629 | $56,700 – $83,550 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $65,400 | +4.6% | $52,707 | $55,280 – $76,920 | 90 |
| Nebraska | $63,000 | +9.8% | $50,814 | $55,040 – $83,930 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $62,530 | +4.9% | $50,344 | $60,540 – $75,430 | 110 |
| Kansas | $61,840 | +0.0% | $49,217 | $53,410 – $78,920 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $61,430 | +6.0% | $49,597 | $52,240 – $72,390 | 190 |
| Louisiana | $59,940 | +16.7% | $48,930 | $40,470 – $85,960 | 110 |
| Montana | $59,490 | −1.1% | $47,941 | $56,030 – $73,550 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $54,570 | +3.0% | $44,235 | $54,570 – $64,860 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 | −4.3% | $41,013 | $46,780 – $71,430 | 80 |
| Florida | $31,200 | −4.8% | $27,249 | $31,200 – $36,980 | 290 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer | $76,210 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.4% |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $90,230 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.2% |
| Bailiff | $56,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.2% |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.1% |
| Fire Inspector and Investigator | $75,920 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.2% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $76,400 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers | $77,970 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.5% |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fish and game warden make?
The national median salary for fish and game wardens is $74,060 a year ($35.61 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,990 and the top 10% earn over $100,980. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays fish and game wardens the most?
California has the highest median pay at $100,090.
How many fish and game wardens are there in the U.S.?
About 5,770 people work as fish and game wardens nationwide.