Job title · SOC 33-3031

Fish & Game Warden

Also known as: game warden, conservation officer

Overview

Sourced

Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

O*NET definition of Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.

5,770

in government (SOC 33-3031)

—

of this occupation works for government

$74,060

median pay in government

State

levels of government

Titles employers use

Game WardenState Wildlife OfficerWildlife Conservation OfficerWildlife OfficerConservation Enforcement OfficerConservation OfficerConservation WardenFish and Game ConstableRefuge OfficerState Game Warden

How people usually get in Editorial

degree + written exam + PAT + academy. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 33-3031)

Education needed to enter: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

High School Diploma or the equivalent

35%

Post-Secondary Certificate

26%

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Share of surveyed workers in Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031) naming each level as required to be hired, 18 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

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 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.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Police and Detectives”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 33-3031: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Medium Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Rank and step: paramilitary rank × time-in-service step (officer → sergeant → lieutenant → captain …). Typical structure for a rank-structured agency; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Trainee / recruit
Officer (probationary)
Officer (steps to top)
Corporal / senior officer
Sergeant
Lieutenant
Captain
Chief / director

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

Not published

State

$74,790

Local

$59,250

All government

$74,060

Private sector

Not published

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
State	5,450	$52,560	$62,380	$74,790	$89,110	$101,500
Local	320	$37,170	$46,140	$59,250	$75,360	$84,400
All government	5,770	$50,990	$61,430	$74,060	$89,110	$100,980

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Fish & Game Warden in 28 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
California	Fish and Game Warden Cadet, Fish and Game Warden 2 classes · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)	$52,428 – $105,624
Connecticut	Conservation Enforcement Officer 1 class · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources	$84,665 – $106,602
Delaware	Natural Resources Police Officer I–III 3 classes · Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation	$64,519 – $101,018
Georgia	Game Warden 1–2, Game Warden 1 Non Exempt, Game Warden 2 Non Exempt, +3 more 8 classes · effective September 17, 2025 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$44,010 – $86,784
Idaho	Conservation Officer, Conservation Officer Senior 2 classes · effective June 8, 2025 · Idaho Division of Human Resources	$54,309 – $120,640
Illinois	Conservation Police Officer Trainee, Conservation Police Officer I–II 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Illinois Department of Central Management Services	$51,264 – $105,480
Indiana	Conservation Officer Trainee, Conservation Officer 2 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department	$66,000 – $112,000
Iowa	Conservation Officer 1 class · effective June 19, 2026 · Iowa Department of Administrative Services	$70,574 – $106,018
Kentucky	Game Warden Recruit, Game Warden I–II 3 classes · effective September 16, 2026 · Kentucky Personnel Cabinet	$48,483 – $62,595
Louisiana	Wildlife Enforcement Agent 1 class · effective August 19, 2024 · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service	$40,082 – $81,099
Maine	Game Warden 1 class · effective June 28, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources	$60,154 – $84,032
Michigan	Conservation Officer-E, Conservation Officer Sr-A 2 classes · effective October 1, 2026 · Michigan Civil Service Commission	$57,574 – $105,498
Nebraska	Game and Parks Conservation Officer 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division	$58,947 – $96,034
Nevada	Game Warden I–IV, Staff Game Warden 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$63,538 – $128,287
New Jersey	Conservation Police Officer 1–3 3 classes · effective July 11, 2026 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission	$76,748 – $142,870
New Mexico	Associate Conservation Officer, Conservation Officer, Senior Conservation Officer 3 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$42,773 – $93,936
North Carolina	Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer I–III 3 classes · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR)	$45,506 – $84,141
Ohio	Wildlife Officer Cadet, Wildlife Officer 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$54,496 – $84,885
Oklahoma	Game Warden I–II 2 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$30,593 – $192,725
Pennsylvania	Wildlife Conservation Officer 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration	$55,206 – $87,817
South Dakota	Conservation Officer 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$53,435 – $80,101
Tennessee	Wildlife Officer 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources	$64,056 – $99,468
Texas	Game Warden Trainee, Probationary Game Warden, Game Warden 3 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team	$51,255 – $98,085
Vermont	Game Warden Trainee, Game Warden, Senior Game Warden 3 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Vermont Department of Human Resources	$58,344 – $109,304
Washington	Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officer 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Human Resources	$92,556 – $121,248
West Virginia	Natural Resources Police Officer 1 class · West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel	$49,375
Wisconsin	Conservation Warden 1 class · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management	$50,211 – $135,054
Wyoming	Game Warden, Senior Game Warden 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division	$55,016 – $105,810

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 28 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

28%

Irregular

47%

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

40 hours

81%

More than 40 hours

15%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Participate in search-and-rescue operations.4.8
Compile and present evidence for court actions.4.6
Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.4.5
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.4.4
Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.4.3
Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.4.3
Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.4.3
Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.4.1
Serve warrants and make arrests.4.0
Arrange for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.3.9

The 10 most important of 15 core tasks for Fish and Game Wardens, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
California	330	$69,710	$100,090	$116,330
Iowa	120	$63,400	$98,260	$98,260
Indiana	170	$65,990	$93,990	$111,990
Nevada	50	$64,040	$91,750	$110,200
Maryland	60	$81,000	$89,300	$100,980
Wisconsin	150	$61,530	$89,110	$89,110
Michigan	210	$69,390	$87,460	$99,440
Texas	490	$55,430	$85,980	$98,070
New York	390	$66,190	$80,060	$96,050
North Dakota	30	$61,430	$79,520	$103,250
Georgia	200	$59,470	$79,440	$93,930
Tennessee	220	$63,690	$75,930	$95,050
Ohio	160	$56,620	$75,880	$100,710
Vermont	40	$55,710	$74,940	$86,810
Alabama	160	$44,450	$74,290	$88,510
Wyoming	70	$50,150	$74,060	$77,960
Maine	190	$57,080	$73,260	$79,330
Idaho	110	$55,370	$73,200	$96,660
New Jersey	90	$44,450	$72,920	$114,320
Arkansas	80	$51,000	$72,200	$90,360
Missouri	150	$52,890	$70,030	$76,170
Hawaii	110	$60,670	$69,250	$101,300
Oklahoma	170	$53,060	$69,120	$88,590
South Dakota	100	$37,170	$68,810	$84,860
Virginia	180	$56,700	$66,540	$83,550
Connecticut	90	$55,280	$65,400	$76,920
Nebraska	70	$55,040	$63,000	$83,930
West Virginia	110	$60,540	$62,530	$75,430
Kansas	100	$53,410	$61,840	$78,920
North Carolina	190	$52,240	$61,430	$72,390
Louisiana	110	$40,470	$59,940	$85,960
Montana	70	$56,030	$59,490	$73,550
Kentucky	70	$54,570	$54,570	$64,860
Pennsylvania	80	$46,780	$50,250	$71,430
Florida	290	$31,200	$31,200	$36,980

35 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyLaw Enforcement

LevelState

Pay structureRank and step

Occupation code33-3031 Fish and Game Wardens

PreparationMedium Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) — California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (California state government publication, CalHR); facts republished with a link to the source

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources — Connecticut State Employee Compensation Plans and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Connecticut state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation — Delaware classification plan (class report) and FY2027 pay grade tables

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Delaware government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Idaho Division of Human Resources — Idaho State Classifications and FY 2026–2027 Salary Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Idaho state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Illinois Department of Central Management Services — Illinois CMS Alphabetic Index of Position Titles (FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026, corrected edition)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Illinois state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Iowa Department of Administrative Services — Iowa FY 2027 Classification Plan and Pay Plans

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Iowa state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet — Kentucky Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule (effective September 16, 2026) and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Kentucky state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service — Louisiana State Civil Service Pay Plan (Public Version) and Pay Schedules AS, MS, PS, SS, TS, WS

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Louisiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources — Maine State Government — Job Classification Specifications and Salary Schedules (BHR Salary Schedule Center)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Maine state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Michigan Civil Service Commission — Michigan Civil Service Commission Compensation Plan, Sections A (Alphabetic List of Pay Ranges) and B (Numeric List of Pay Ranges)

Official source · data captured October 1, 2026 · Public record (State of Michigan government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division — Nebraska Classification & Pay Plan (July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Nebraska state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Jersey Civil Service Commission — New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of New Jersey government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) — North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (North Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Classification and Pay Plan (job classes and pay schedules)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes — South Dakota Class Code Master and FY27 Pay Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Dakota state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division — State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure — 2024 Market Rates (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wyoming state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Tennessee Department of Human Resources — Tennessee DOHR Alpha Comp Plan (September 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Tennessee state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team — Texas State Classification Plan — Job Description Index and Salary Schedules A, B and C (FY 2026–27)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Texas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Vermont Department of Human Resources — Vermont Job Specifications and FY 2027 Classified, Corrections and State Police Pay Plans (Appendix II, July 12, 2026 – January 9, 2027)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Vermont state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Human Resources — Washington Classified Job Listing and OFM Salary Schedules (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Washington state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel — West Virginia Division of Personnel — Schedule of Salary Grades 2-26 (effective August 24, 2024) and Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (West Virginia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management — Wisconsin Alphabetical Listing of Classifications and 2025-2027 Compensation Plan Pay Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wisconsin state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobs Wiki — editorial structure and wording

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed October 1, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Fish & Game Warden

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected