Top 13 cities for fish and game wardens by average salary
| Sacramento, CA | $100,540 |
|---|---|
| Albany, NY | $89,510 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $89,500 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $87,580 |
| Washington, DC | $85,540 |
| Nashville, TN | $82,160 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,340 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,120 |
| Houston, TX | $79,460 |
| New York, NY | $77,640 |
| Syracuse, NY | $68,910 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $63,660 |
| Tampa, FL | $32,510 |
Map: Fish and Game Wardens salary by metro area
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Fish and Game Wardens salary by state
California pays fish and game wardens the most statewide, $96,130 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96,130 | $100,090 | 330 | 2 | $100,540 | $89,500 |
| Indiana | $91,900 | $93,990 | 170 | 1 | $87,580 | $87,580 |
| Maryland | $91,150 | $89,300 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nevada | $90,270 | $91,750 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $89,620 | $98,260 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $85,540 | $85,540 |
| Michigan | $84,770 | $87,460 | 210 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $82,050 | $85,980 | 490 | 1 | $79,460 | $79,460 |
| New York | $80,920 | $80,060 | 390 | 3 | $89,510 | $68,910 |
| Wisconsin | $80,030 | $89,110 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $78,150 | $79,520 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $77,730 | $79,440 | 200 | 1 | $80,340 | $80,340 |
| Idaho | $76,380 | $73,200 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $76,200 | $72,920 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $76,160 | $75,930 | 220 | 1 | $82,160 | $82,160 |
| Ohio | $76,100 | $75,880 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | $76,090 | $69,250 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Vermont | $73,210 | $74,940 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | $71,740 | $72,200 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $71,270 | $74,060 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maine | $70,940 | $73,260 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $70,040 | $69,120 | 170 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $69,630 | $74,290 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | $68,160 | $65,400 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $68,110 | $66,540 | 180 | 1 | $63,660 | $63,660 |
| South Dakota | $67,080 | $68,810 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $66,670 | $63,000 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $65,040 | $70,030 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $64,450 | $62,530 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $63,970 | $61,840 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $62,280 | $61,430 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $61,670 | $59,490 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $59,940 | $59,940 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $57,250 | $54,570 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $53,840 | $50,250 | 80 | 1 | $80,120 | $80,120 |
| Florida | $33,440 | $31,200 | 290 | 1 | $32,510 | $32,510 |
Fish and Game Wardens salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $100,540 | $105,780 | $48.34 | 40 |
| Albany, NY | $89,510 | $89,110 | $43.03 | 30 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $89,500 | $87,140 | $43.03 | 50 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $87,580 | $75,990 | $42.11 | 30 |
| Washington, DC | $85,540 | $89,300 | $41.12 | 40 |
| Nashville, TN | $82,160 | $81,490 | $39.50 | 30 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,340 | $79,440 | $38.62 | 50 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,120 | $76,290 | $38.52 | 40 |
| Houston, TX | $79,460 | $85,980 | $38.20 | 40 |
| New York, NY | $77,640 | $73,130 | $37.33 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $68,910 | $56,730 | $33.13 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $63,660 | $63,060 | $30.60 | 80 |
| Tampa, FL | $32,510 | $31,200 | $15.63 | 60 |
Related jobs
Fish and Game Wardens salary: questions
Where do fish and game wardens make the most money?
In Sacramento, CA, with an average of $100,540 a year, among the 13 metro areas we cover.
What is the average fish and game wardens salary in the U.S.?
$74,950 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $74,060, so half of fish and game wardens earn more than that and half less.
What salary should fish and game wardens ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of fish and game wardens nationwide earn between $61,430 (25th percentile) and $89,110 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays fish and game wardens the most?
California, with a statewide average of $96,130 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is fish and game wardens pay the lowest?
Tampa, FL, at $32,510 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-3031.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.