Salary guide
Fish and Game Warden Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What fish and game wardens earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median fish and game warden salary in the U.S. is $74,060 per year, or $35.60 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $50,990, while the top 10% earned more than $100,980.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Fish and Game Warden pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,990 | $24.51 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $61,430 | $29.53 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $74,060 | $35.61 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $89,110 | $42.84 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $100,980 | $48.55 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $61,430 | $74,060 | $89,110 |
| Per month | $5,119 | $6,172 | $7,426 |
| Every two weeks | $2,363 | $2,848 | $3,427 |
| Per week | $1,181 | $1,424 | $1,714 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects fish and game warden pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a fish and game warden
- Get credentialed: State peace officer certification, Boating and water rescue training, Hunter education instructor certification.
- Build specialty experience: Patrol a district.
- Move up: roles such as sergeant or investigator and lieutenant or regional supervisor typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Fish and Game Warden pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of fish and game wardens to change by -5.7% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-3031 (“Fish and game wardens”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Fish and Game Warden salary FAQ
How much does a fish and game warden make per hour?
The median hourly wage for fish and game wardens was $35.60 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $24.51 and the top 10% earned about $48.55 or more.
How much does a fish and game warden make a month?
At the median annual wage of $74,060, that works out to about $6,172 per month before taxes, or about $2,848 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a fish and game warden?
New fish and game wardens often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $50,990 and the 25th percentile was $61,430 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can fish and game wardens earn more?
Common ways include earning State peace officer certification and Boating and water rescue training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as sergeant or investigator.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-3031 (Fish and game wardens).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Fish and game wardens (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.