Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
Fish and Game Wardens
SOC: 33-3031 O*NET: 33-3031.00
Median Salary
$68,180
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
What does a Fish and Game Wardens do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,670
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,260
25th percentile
Median
$68,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,100
75th percentile
Top Earners
$94,470
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,670
25th
$53,260
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,180
Mean: $67,990
75th
$82,100
90th
$94,470
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $58,800 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $53,260 and $82,100
- •Salary spread is 42.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 6,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,000
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)7,000
Current
2034 (Projected)6,600
-6%
-400
Employment Change
-6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Fish and Game Wardens professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
Florida
730 jobs$32,7601.79x
Texas
480 jobs$81,8800.83x
New York
370 jobs$75,8200.94x
Tennessee
360 jobs$75,9302.65x
California
290 jobs$94,9900.39x
Arizona
250 jobs$45,0001.88x
Georgia
210 jobs$73,4901.03x
Virginia
210 jobs$60,0001.25x
North Carolina
180 jobs$57,9500.89x
Louisiana
180 jobs$51,3702.22x
Alabama
170 jobs$71,0701.90x
Missouri
170 jobs$61,7801.38x
Indiana
160 jobs$99,9901.23x
Ohio
140 jobs$76,8700.63x
Maine
140 jobs$71,1205.44x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Persuasion
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Persuasion
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Athletes and Sports Competitors100%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Correctional Officers and Jailers82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare82%
5 shared skills
Security Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Persuasion
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Fish and Game Wardens
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Puppet
🔥 Hot TechSwift
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Puppet
Swift
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (1)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Recommend revisions in hunting and trapping regulations or in animal management programs so that wildlife balances or habitats can be maintained.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Inspect commercial operations relating to fish or wildlife, recreation, or protected areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Survey areas and compile figures of bag counts of hunters to determine the effectiveness of control measures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Investigate crop, property, or habitat damage or destruction or instances of water pollution to determine causes and to advise property owners of preventive measures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Fish and Game Wardens
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Fish and Game Wardens professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Fish and Game Wardens
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.85
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.58
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.54
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.52
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.51
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.50
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Independence
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Cooperation
4.1
Persistence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Fish and Game Wardens.
Browse Training Programs →