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Law & Government

Fish and Game Wardens

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

Median salary (BLS)

$74,060

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$51k – $101k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $105,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Fish and Game Wardens

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$40,200–$155,000

Time to qualify

4.5 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Bar exam / state licensure / academy

    License

    Lawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.

    $200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Fish and Game Wardens" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Fish and Game Wardens Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Fish and Game Wardens

    Entry / Junior

    $50,990

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Fish and Game Wardens

    Established

    $74,060

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Fish and Game Wardens

    Senior

    $87,520

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.
  • •Compile and present evidence for court actions.
  • •Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
  • •Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
  • •Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Law & Government

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.