Fish and Game Wardens

Like all federal employees, those who work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service earn salaries as prescribed by law. Service employees are classified either as "general schedule" (GS) or as "wage grade" (WG). General schedule employees, the professional, technical, administrative, and clerical workers, receive annual salaries based on GS grades 1 through 15. Starting salaries for special agents and wildlife inspectors are at the GS-7/9/11 level, which ranged from $41,966 to $62,107 in 2024. The top pay scale for special agents and wildlife inspectors is GS-13, which offered salaries that ranged from $88,520 to $115,079. There are some areas in the United States that have an additional geographic locality pay.

Salaries for fish and game wardens ranged from $33,260 all the way up to $86,880 or higher in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Median annual earnings were $60,380. Fifty percent of fish and game wardens earned between $48,250 and $72,900. Those who worked for state agencies earned mean annual salaries of $61,620, while those who were employed by local agencies earned $51,810.

Fish and game wardens who work in law enforcement positions, especially special agents, receive higher salaries because of the danger inherent in their jobs.

Benefits for fish and game wardens depend on the employer; however, they usually include such items as health insurance, retirement or 401(k) plans, and paid vacation days. Fish and game wardens employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receive the aforementioned benefits, as well as recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives. Additionally, some workers are eligible to participate in the service's student loan repayment program.