Fish and Game Wardens Salary in California
Fish and Game Wardens in California make a median of $94,990 a year, or about $45.67 an hour. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $95K get you in California?
About fish and game wardens
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level fish and game wardens (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K.Top earners bring in $109K or more - a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Fish and Game Wardens pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $115K | +69% | 110 |
| Indiana | $100K | +47% | 160 |
| California | $95K | +39% | 290 |
| Iowa | $92K | +35% | 120 |
| Maryland | $87K | +28% | 30 |
| Nevada | $84K | +24% | 50 |
| Texas | $82K | +20% | 480 |
| North Dakota | $80K | +18% | 30 |
| Ohio | $77K | +13% | 140 |
| Tennessee | $76K | +11% | 360 |
| New York | $76K | +11% | 370 |
| Wyoming | $74K | +9% | 80 |
| Georgia | $73K | +8% | 210 |
| Vermont | $72K | +5% | 40 |
| Maine | $71K | +4% | 140 |
Track fish and game wardens salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do fish and game wardens make in California?
The median is $94,990 a year - that works out to about $45.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,290, and experienced fish and game wardens can clear $109,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,853/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 37.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a fish and game wardens salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fish and game wardens salary is worth about $94,990 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fish and game wardens get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.