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.
Also called: Conservation Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, Conservation Warden, Environmental Conservation Officer, Fish and Game Constable, Fish and Wildlife Warden
Median pay
$74,060
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$50,990 – $100,980
People employed
5,770
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Tight deadlines are common
Fish and Game Wardens pay by state
Annual median pay by state (35 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What fish and game wardens do
- 01Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
- 02Compile and present evidence for court actions.
- 03Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
- 04Patrol 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.
- 05Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
- 06Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Telecommunications
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from fish and game wardens
- Forest and Conservation Technicians77% · −26%
- Range Managers77% · group pay
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators74% · +3%
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists74% · −23%
- Conservation Scientists73% · −1%
Change into fish and game wardens
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Animal Control Workers85% · $45,660
- Forest and Conservation Technicians77% · $54,560
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists76% · $76,780
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists75% · $56,870
- Airfield Operations Specialists74% · $56,850
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.