Game warden salary
BLS occupation: Fish and Game Wardens · Protective service · data for May 2025
How much does a game warden make?
- The median game warden salary in the US is $74,060 a year ($35.60 an hour): half of the 5,770 game wardens BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $74,950.
- The middle half earn between $61,430 and $89,110. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $50,990 and the top 10% more than $100,980.
- That is 45% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays game wardens the most (median $100,090), followed by Iowa ($98,260) and Indiana ($93,990). Florida pays the least ($31,200).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Iowa, where the median is worth $111,962 in typical US prices, then Indiana and Wisconsin. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 7 of the 13 metro areas with data, the median game warden salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of game wardens to shrink 5.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what game wardens are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Game warden salary range
Half of game wardens earn between $61,430 and $89,110 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $50,990 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $61,430 |
| Median | $74,060 |
| Top 25% earn over | $89,110 |
| Top 10% earn over | $100,980 |
Game warden salary by state
California pays game wardens the most; Florida the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($74,060), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $100,090 median |
| Iowa | $98,260 median |
| Indiana | $93,990 median |
| Nevada | $91,750 median |
| Maryland | $89,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 median |
| Michigan | $87,460 median |
| Texas | $85,980 median |
| New York | $80,060 median |
| North Dakota | $79,520 median |
| Georgia | $79,440 median |
| Tennessee | $75,930 median |
| Ohio | $75,880 median |
| Vermont | $74,940 median |
| Alabama | $74,290 median |
| Wyoming | $74,060 median |
| Maine | $73,260 median |
| Idaho | $73,200 median |
| New Jersey | $72,920 median |
| Arkansas | $72,200 median |
| Missouri | $70,030 median |
| Hawaii | $69,250 median |
| Oklahoma | $69,120 median |
| South Dakota | $68,810 median |
| Virginia | $66,540 median |
| Connecticut | $65,400 median |
| Nebraska | $63,000 median |
| West Virginia | $62,530 median |
| Kansas | $61,840 median |
| North Carolina | $61,430 median |
| Louisiana | $59,940 median |
| Montana | $59,490 median |
| Kentucky | $54,570 median |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 median |
| Florida | $31,200 median |
Where game warden pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Game wardens' pay goes furthest in Iowa once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $111,962 |
| Indiana | $100,708 |
| Wisconsin | $94,702 |
| Nevada | $91,769 |
| Michigan | $90,899 |
| California | $90,399 |
| North Dakota | $89,389 |
| Texas | $88,587 |
| Maryland | $85,081 |
| Alabama | $83,638 |
Game warden pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,090 | $48.12 | $69,710 | $116,330 | 330 | $90,399 |
| Iowa | $98,260 | $47.24 | $63,400 | $98,260 | 120 | $111,962 |
| Indiana | $93,990 | $45.19 | $65,990 | $111,990 | 170 | $100,708 |
| Nevada | $91,750 | $44.11 | $64,040 | $110,200 | 50 | $91,769 |
| Maryland | $89,300 | $42.93 | $81,000 | $100,980 | 60 | $85,081 |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 | $42.84 | $61,530 | $89,110 | 150 | $94,702 |
| Michigan | $87,460 | $42.05 | $69,390 | $99,440 | 210 | $90,899 |
| Texas | $85,980 | $41.34 | $55,430 | $98,070 | 490 | $88,587 |
| New York | $80,060 | $38.49 | $66,190 | $96,050 | 390 | $74,184 |
| North Dakota | $79,520 | $38.23 | $61,430 | $103,250 | 30 | $89,389 |
| Georgia | $79,440 | $38.19 | $59,470 | $93,930 | 200 | $82,498 |
| Tennessee | $75,930 | $36.50 | $63,690 | $95,050 | 220 | $82,649 |
| Ohio | $75,880 | $36.48 | $56,620 | $100,710 | 160 | $81,790 |
| Vermont | $74,940 | $36.03 | $55,710 | $86,810 | 40 | $76,502 |
| Alabama | $74,290 | $35.72 | $44,450 | $88,510 | 160 | $83,638 |
| Wyoming | $74,060 | $35.61 | $50,150 | $77,960 | 70 | $79,900 |
| Maine | $73,260 | $35.22 | $57,080 | $79,330 | 190 | $75,487 |
| Idaho | $73,200 | $35.19 | $55,370 | $96,660 | 110 | $76,654 |
| New Jersey | $72,920 | $35.06 | $44,450 | $114,320 | 90 | $67,019 |
| Arkansas | $72,200 | $34.71 | $51,000 | $90,360 | 80 | $83,049 |
| Missouri | $70,030 | $33.67 | $52,890 | $76,170 | 150 | $77,111 |
| Hawaii | $69,250 | $33.29 | $60,670 | $101,300 | 110 | $62,983 |
| Oklahoma | $69,120 | $33.23 | $53,060 | $88,590 | 170 | $78,686 |
| South Dakota | $68,810 | $33.08 | $37,170 | $84,860 | 100 | $77,676 |
| Virginia | $66,540 | $31.99 | $56,700 | $83,550 | 180 | $65,813 |
| Connecticut | $65,400 | $31.44 | $55,280 | $76,920 | 90 | $63,121 |
| Nebraska | $63,000 | $30.29 | $55,040 | $83,930 | 70 | $69,920 |
| West Virginia | $62,530 | $30.06 | $60,540 | $75,430 | 110 | $69,868 |
| Kansas | $61,840 | $29.73 | $53,410 | $78,920 | 100 | $68,659 |
| North Carolina | $61,430 | $29.53 | $52,240 | $72,390 | 190 | $65,125 |
| Louisiana | $59,940 | $28.82 | $40,470 | $85,960 | 110 | $67,954 |
| Montana | $59,490 | $28.60 | $56,030 | $73,550 | 70 | $62,856 |
| Kentucky | $54,570 | $26.24 | $54,570 | $64,860 | 70 | $60,526 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 | $24.16 | $46,780 | $71,430 | 80 | $51,500 |
| Florida | $31,200 | $15.00 | $31,200 | $36,980 | 290 | $30,170 |
BLS does not publish pay for game wardens in 16 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Game warden salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes game warden pay: 13 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Sacramento, CA $105,780
- Washington, DC $89,300
- Albany, NY $89,110
- Los Angeles, CA $87,140
- Houston, TX $85,980
- Nashville, TN $81,490
- Atlanta, GA $79,440
- Philadelphia, PA $76,290
- Indianapolis, IN $75,990
- New York, NY $73,130
Where the pay goes furthest
- Sacramento, CA $99,166
- Albany, NY $89,498
- Houston, TX $87,175
- Nashville, TN $84,588
- Washington, DC $82,014
- Indianapolis, IN $79,408
- Atlanta, GA $79,394
- Los Angeles, CA $76,731
- Philadelphia, PA $74,390
- New York, NY $64,968
All 13 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $105,780 | 40 | $99,166 | 26% |
| Washington, DC | $89,300 | 40 | $82,014 | 32% |
| Albany, NY | $89,110 | 30 | $89,498 | 23% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $87,140 | 50 | $76,731 | 40% |
| Houston, TX | $85,980 | 40 | $87,175 | 23% |
| Nashville, TN | $81,490 | 30 | $84,588 | 27% |
| Atlanta, GA | $79,440 | 50 | $79,394 | 28% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $76,290 | 40 | $74,390 | 30% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $75,990 | 30 | $79,408 | 24% |
| New York, NY | $73,130 | 90 | $64,968 | 58% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $63,060 | 80 | $64,386 | 36% |
| Syracuse, NY | $56,730 | 50 | $59,253 | 34% |
| Tampa, FL | $31,200 | 60 | $30,925 | 77% |
What the median game warden salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $74,060 |
| Month | $6,172 |
| Every two weeks | $2,848 |
| Week | $1,424 |
| Hour | $35.60 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a game warden: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −5.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 500 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Police officer | $76,210 | High school diploma |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Detective | $93,790 | High school diploma |
| Correctional officer | $58,940 | High school diploma |
| Security guard | $38,020 | High school diploma |
Questions about game warden pay
How much does a game warden make an hour?
The median is $35.60 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $24.51 and the top 10% over $48.55.
How much does a game warden make a month?
About $6,172 a month before taxes at the median salary of $74,060, or $2,848 every two weeks.
What state pays game wardens the most?
California, with a median of $100,090. Iowa ($98,260), Indiana ($93,990), Nevada ($91,750) and Maryland ($89,300) follow.
Where do game wardens make the most after cost of living?
Iowa: its median of $98,260 is worth $111,962 at typical US prices. Indiana, Wisconsin and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level game wardens make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of game wardens earn under $50,990 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $61,430, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a game warden?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 33-3031 (Fish and Game Wardens). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.