Fish and Game Wardens Salary in Columbus, OH
Fish and Game Wardens in Columbus, OH make a median of $73,080 a year, or about $35.14 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.47), that's roughly $76,548 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,430/month, or 29.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $73K get you in Columbus?
About fish and game wardens
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbus, OH
Entry-level fish and game wardens (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K.Top earners bring in $92K or more - a $47K 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 Columbus numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do fish and game wardens make in Columbus, OH?
The median is $73,080 a year - that works out to about $35.14 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,180, and experienced fish and game wardens can clear $91,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Columbus?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,873/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,430/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a fish and game wardens salary go in Columbus?
Columbus has a Regional Price Parity of 95.47 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fish and game wardens salary is worth about $76,548 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.