Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota make a median of $63,450 a year, or about $30.51 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers.
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Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
Bar chart showing Fish and Game Wardens salary percentiles in South Dakota: 10th percentile $47,390, 25th percentile $59,280, median $63,450, 75th percentile $74,940, 90th percentile $81,350. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Entry-level fish and game wardens (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
How much do fish and game wardens make in South Dakota?▼
The median is $63,450 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,390, and experienced fish and game wardens can clear $81,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in South Dakota?▼
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,418/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 23% 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 South Dakota?▼
South Dakota 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 $70,586 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.
