Fish and Game Wardens: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Fish and Game Wardens

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

Salary
$57810
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

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

  • 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.
  • Compile and present evidence for court actions.
  • Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
  • Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
Read more about what does a Fish and Game Warden really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$59260 per year

Average hourly wage
$28 per hour


Fish and Game Wardens with little to no experience tend to make between $40090 and $47080 while the more experienced ones can earn over $69900 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
IL $42 $88,300
IA $40 $82,520
RI $37 $77,710
CA $37 $76,240
WA $36 $74,010

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Fish and Game Warden is to move to a higher paying state like IL. Right now, the highest paying states for Fish and Game Wardens are IL, IA, RI, CA and WA.

However, a higher pay at IL doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at IL might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Fish and Game Warden is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Fish and Game Wardens what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Natural Resource Economics
Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management
Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
Read more about how to become a Fish and Game Warden and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Fish and Game Warden.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Demand for this career is growing very slowly
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
72%


70% of Fish and Game Wardens said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Thinkers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.



Learn more about Fish and Game Wardens

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Fish and Game Wardens job description, Fish and Game Wardens salary, Fish and Game Wardens information, what is the job of a Fish and Game Warden like, pros and cons about Fish and Game Wardens, colleges and universities for Fish and Game Wardens, is Fish and Game Wardens the right career for me, careers in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

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