Law Enforcement Workers

How to become a Fish and Game Wardens

Also called: Conservation Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, Conservation Warden, Fish and Game Constable, Game Warden, Refuge Officer, State Game Warden, State Wildlife Officer, Wildlife Conservation Officer, Wildlife Officer

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

Main tasks

Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
Compile and present evidence for court actions.
Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
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.
Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
Provide advice or information to park or reserve visitors.

How to become one

The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Fish & Game Warden (Gov Ser).
College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 7 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $74,060 a year The middle half earn $61,430 to $89,110.
About 6,200 people work in this job now, and about 5,800 are projected by 2035. (-5.7%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Fish and Game Wardens?

How much does a Fish and Game Wardens earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $74,060 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,430 to $89,110.

Is a Fish and Game Wardens a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 6,200 to about 5,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Fish and Game Wardens?

Not always. 41% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Computing & IT degrees; Fish & Game Warden (Gov Ser).

Will AI change the work of a Fish and Game Wardens?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.