All About Fish and Game Wardens

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

A Day in the Life of a Fish and Game Warden

• Serve warrants and make arrests.
• Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.
• Document the extent of crop, property, or habitat damage and make financial loss estimates or compensation recommendations.
• Issue licenses, permits, or other documentation.
• Design or implement control measures to prevent or counteract damage caused by wildlife or people.
• Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.

Things a Fish and Game Warden Should Know How to Do

Fish and Game Wardens state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Other Fish and Game Warden Job Titles

• Game Warden
• Fish and Wildlife Warden
• Wildlife Officer
• Wildlife and Game Protector
• Game Protector

Is There Job Demand for Fish and Game Wardens?

In the United States, there were 7,000 jobs for Fish and Game Wardens in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Fish and Game Wardens by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Fish and Game Wardens are Texas, New York, and Georgia.

Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, South Dakota, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Fish and Game Warden Salary

The average yearly salary of a Fish and Game Warden ranges between $40,090 and $80,140. The median salary for this occupation is $57,710.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Illinois	$88,300
Iowa	$82,520
Rhode Island	$77,710
California	$76,240
Washington	$74,010
New York	$68,000
Ohio	$66,350
Texas	$66,130
Georgia	$60,510
Indiana	$59,930
Vermont	$59,380
Maine	$58,800
Michigan	$58,740
Connecticut	$58,620
North Dakota	$58,200
Wyoming	$57,870
Massachusetts	$57,590
Oklahoma	$53,250
Alabama	$52,620
Arizona	$51,740
Montana	$50,820
Virginia	$50,750
Wisconsin	$49,420
South Carolina	$48,610
West Virginia	$46,490
Kansas	$46,460
South Dakota	$44,510
Mississippi	$43,490
North Carolina	$41,110

What Tools do Fish and Game Wardens Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Fish and Game Wardens may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office

How do I Become a Fish and Game Warden?

Learn what Fish and Game Warden education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become Fish and Game Warden?

Who Employs Fish and Game Wardens?

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Fish and Game Warden may also be interested in:

• Commercial Pilots

Are you already one of the many Fish and Game Wardens in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Environmental Compliance Inspectors

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons