Fish and Game Wardens
Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031) earn a median $74,060 a year ($35.60 an hour) in the United States, with 5,770 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is California.
What fish and game wardens do
Fish and game wardens patrol assigned areas to prevent fish and game law violations, investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife, and compile biological data. They patrol by car, boat, airplane, horse or on foot to enforce game, fish or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes or land. They investigate hunting accidents and reports of fish or game law violations, issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary, serve warrants and make arrests. They compile and present evidence for court actions and assist other local law enforcement agencies as required. They also protect and preserve native wildlife, plants and ecosystems, and promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training. O*NET alternate titles include conservation officer, conservation enforcement officer, fisheries enforcement officer, fish and wildlife warden and environmental conservation officer. Nearly four in five respondents report a bachelor's degree, and 14 percent a high school diploma. The packet shows that the occupation combines law enforcement with natural resource work, since the same officer may write a citation, record biological data and teach a safety course.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a bachelor's degree as the typical level of education for this occupation (79 percent).
Also called: Community Resource Officer, Conservation Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, District Resource Officer, Environmental Conservation Officer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $24.51 | $29.53 | $35.60 | $42.84 | $48.55 | $36.03 | 5,770 |
| Annual | $50,990 | $61,430 | $74,060 | $89,110 | $100,980 | $74,950 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where fish and game wardens earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $33.52 | $35.96 | $48.12 | $53.26 | $55.93 | $46.21 | 330 | 0.02 | 0.49 |
| Annual | $69,710 | $74,790 | $100,090 | $110,780 | $116,330 | $96,130 | ||||
| Iowa | Hourly | $30.48 | $37.49 | $47.24 | $47.24 | $47.24 | $43.09 | 120 | 0.08 | 2.12 |
| Annual | $63,400 | $77,980 | $98,260 | $98,260 | $98,260 | $89,620 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $31.73 | $36.53 | $45.19 | $53.84 | $53.84 | $44.18 | 170 | 0.05 | 1.42 |
| Annual | $65,990 | $75,990 | $93,990 | $111,990 | $111,990 | $91,900 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $30.79 | $40.43 | $44.11 | $45.80 | $52.98 | $43.40 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $64,040 | $84,090 | $91,750 | $95,260 | $110,200 | $90,270 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $38.94 | $40.89 | $42.94 | $46.21 | $48.55 | $43.82 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $81,000 | $85,050 | $89,300 | $96,110 | $100,980 | $91,150 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $26.65 | $38.59 | $41.34 | $43.26 | $47.15 | $39.45 | 490 | 0.04 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $55,430 | $80,260 | $85,980 | $89,970 | $98,070 | $82,050 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $31.82 | $35.16 | $38.49 | $43.73 | $46.18 | $38.91 | 390 | 0.04 | 1.08 |
| Annual | $66,190 | $73,130 | $80,060 | $90,960 | $96,050 | $80,920 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $33.52 | $35.96 | $48.12 | $53.26 | $55.93 | $46.21 | 330 | 0.02 | 0.49 |
| Annual | $69,710 | $74,790 | $100,090 | $110,780 | $116,330 | $96,130 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $16.23 | $17.78 | $16.08 | 290 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $33,760 | $36,980 | $33,440 | ||||
| Tennessee | Hourly | $30.62 | $31.99 | $36.51 | $40.36 | $45.70 | $36.61 | 220 | 0.07 | 1.77 |
| Annual | $63,690 | $66,550 | $75,930 | $83,960 | $95,050 | $76,160 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Hourly | $33.03 | $40.16 | $50.86 | $53.26 | $62.94 | $48.34 | 40 | 0.04 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $68,710 | $83,540 | $105,780 | $110,780 | $130,900 | $100,540 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $29.40 | $34.66 | $42.94 | $46.21 | $48.55 | $41.12 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $61,160 | $72,100 | $89,300 | $96,110 | $100,980 | $85,540 | ||||
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Hourly | $36.48 | $38.49 | $42.84 | $44.36 | $52.21 | $43.03 | 30 | 0.07 | 1.80 |
| Annual | $75,880 | $80,060 | $89,110 | $92,280 | $108,590 | $89,510 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $33.52 | $34.30 | $41.89 | $52.26 | $55.53 | $43.03 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| Annual | $69,710 | $71,350 | $87,140 | $108,700 | $115,500 | $89,500 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $26.65 | $31.65 | $41.34 | $45.16 | $47.15 | $38.20 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.32 |
| Annual | $55,430 | $65,840 | $85,980 | $93,930 | $98,070 | $79,460 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $26.35 | $31.82 | $35.16 | $41.43 | $54.96 | $37.33 | 90 | 0.01 | 0.27 |
| Annual | $54,810 | $66,190 | $73,130 | $86,170 | $114,320 | $77,640 | ||||
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Hourly | $24.03 | $27.26 | $30.32 | $34.32 | $39.14 | $30.60 | 80 | 0.11 | 2.84 |
| Annual | $49,990 | $56,700 | $63,060 | $71,390 | $81,420 | $63,660 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $17.00 | $17.00 | $15.63 | 60 | 0.04 | 1.14 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $35,360 | $35,360 | $32,510 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $27.56 | $32.71 | $38.19 | $44.43 | $48.59 | $38.62 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.44 |
| Annual | $57,320 | $68,040 | $79,440 | $92,420 | $101,060 | $80,340 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $33.52 | $34.30 | $41.89 | $52.26 | $55.53 | $43.03 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| Annual | $69,710 | $71,350 | $87,140 | $108,700 | $115,500 | $89,500 | ||||
Top industries employing fish and game wardens
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 94.5% of fish and game wardens nationally (5,450 jobs) at a median $74,790 a year ($35.96 an hour), followed by Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (5.5%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 5,450 | 94.5% | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 320 | 5.5% | $59,250 | $28.49 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (5,770). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $60,730 for fish and game wardens in May 2021 and $74,060 in May 2025, with employment of 6,730 and 5,770.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $60,730 | $29.20 | 6,730 |
| May 2022 | $59,500 | $28.61 | 6,530 |
| May 2023 | $60,380 | $29.03 | 6,290 |
| May 2024 | $68,180 | $32.78 | 6,420 |
| May 2025 | $74,060 | $35.60 | 5,770 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
36 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California profile | $48.12 | $100,090 | $69,710 | $116,330 | 330 | 0.02 | 0.49 |
| 2 | Iowa profile | $47.24 | $98,260 | $63,400 | $98,260 | 120 | 0.08 | 2.12 |
| 3 | Indiana profile | $45.19 | $93,990 | $65,990 | $111,990 | 170 | 0.05 | 1.42 |
| 4 | Nevada profile | $44.11 | $91,750 | $64,040 | $110,200 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.85 |
| 5 | Maryland profile | $42.94 | $89,300 | $81,000 | $100,980 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.61 |
| 6 | Wisconsin profile | $42.84 | $89,110 | $61,530 | $89,110 | 150 | 0.05 | 1.42 |
| 7 | Michigan profile | $42.05 | $87,460 | $69,390 | $99,440 | 210 | 0.05 | 1.27 |
| 8 | Texas profile | $41.34 | $85,980 | $55,430 | $98,070 | 490 | 0.04 | 0.94 |
| 9 | New York profile | $38.49 | $80,060 | $66,190 | $96,050 | 390 | 0.04 | 1.08 |
| 10 | North Dakota profile | $38.23 | $79,520 | $61,430 | $103,250 | 30 | 0.08 | 2.20 |
| 11 | Georgia profile | $38.19 | $79,440 | $59,470 | $93,930 | 200 | 0.04 | 1.08 |
| 12 | Tennessee profile | $36.51 | $75,930 | $63,690 | $95,050 | 220 | 0.07 | 1.77 |
| 13 | Ohio profile | $36.48 | $75,880 | $56,620 | $100,710 | 160 | 0.03 | 0.78 |
| 14 | Vermont profile | $36.03 | $74,940 | $55,710 | $86,810 | 40 | 0.13 | 3.55 |
| 15 | Alabama profile | $35.71 | $74,290 | $44,450 | $88,510 | 160 | 0.07 | 1.99 |
| 16 | Wyoming profile | $35.60 | $74,060 | $50,150 | $77,960 | 70 | 0.26 | 6.91 |
| 17 | Maine profile | $35.22 | $73,260 | $57,080 | $79,330 | 190 | 0.29 | 7.89 |
| 18 | Idaho profile | $35.19 | $73,200 | $55,370 | $96,660 | 110 | 0.13 | 3.49 |
| 19 | New Jersey profile | $35.06 | $72,920 | $44,450 | $114,320 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.58 |
| 20 | Arkansas profile | $34.71 | $72,200 | $51,000 | $90,360 | 80 | 0.06 | 1.59 |
| 21 | Missouri profile | $33.67 | $70,030 | $52,890 | $76,170 | 150 | 0.05 | 1.41 |
| 22 | Hawaii profile | $33.29 | $69,250 | $60,670 | $101,300 | 110 | 0.18 | 4.89 |
| 23 | Oklahoma profile | $33.23 | $69,120 | $53,060 | $88,590 | 170 | 0.10 | 2.61 |
| 24 | South Dakota profile | $33.08 | $68,810 | $37,170 | $84,860 | 100 | 0.21 | 5.67 |
| 25 | Virginia profile | $31.99 | $66,540 | $56,700 | $83,550 | 180 | 0.05 | 1.20 |
| 26 | Connecticut profile | $31.44 | $65,400 | $55,280 | $76,920 | 90 | 0.05 | 1.47 |
| 27 | Nebraska profile | $30.29 | $63,000 | $55,040 | $83,930 | 70 | 0.07 | 1.79 |
| 28 | West Virginia profile | $30.06 | $62,530 | $60,540 | $75,430 | 110 | 0.16 | 4.26 |
| 29 | Kansas profile | $29.73 | $61,840 | $53,410 | $78,920 | 100 | 0.07 | 1.84 |
| 30 | North Carolina profile | $29.53 | $61,430 | $52,240 | $72,390 | 190 | 0.04 | 1.04 |
| 31 | Louisiana profile | $28.82 | $59,940 | $40,470 | $85,960 | 110 | 0.06 | 1.58 |
| 32 | Montana profile | $28.60 | $59,490 | $56,030 | $73,550 | 70 | 0.14 | 3.79 |
| 33 | Kentucky profile | $26.24 | $54,570 | $54,570 | $64,860 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.88 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania profile | $24.16 | $50,250 | $46,780 | $71,430 | 80 | 0.01 | 0.34 |
| 35 | Florida profile | $15.00 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $36,980 | 290 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| – | Delaware profile | * | * | * | * | 60 | 0.13 | 3.50 |
Part of Protective Service Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 33-3031 Fish and Game Wardens.
*- Wage estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 33-3031, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 33-3031.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.