California Median
$100,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $74,060
State Rank
#1 of 35
330 employed here
How much do Fish and Game Wardens make in California?
Fish and Game Wardens in California take home a median of $100,090 annually — roughly $48.12 an hour — which runs 35% above the national median of $74,060.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $69,710 while the top 10% make $116,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,790 and $110,780 a year.
Fish and Game Wardens salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,710 | $33.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,790 | $35.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $100,090 | $48.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $110,780 | $53.26 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,330 | $55.93 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 35 states and territories for Fish and Game Wardens pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fish and Game Wardens salary in other states
Iowa $98,260Indiana $93,990Nevada $91,750Maryland $89,300Wisconsin $89,110Michigan $87,460Texas $85,980New York $80,060North Dakota $79,520Georgia $79,440Tennessee $75,930Ohio $75,880Vermont $74,940Alabama $74,290Wyoming $74,060Maine $73,260Idaho $73,200New Jersey $72,920Arkansas $72,200Missouri $70,030Hawaii $69,250Oklahoma $69,120South Dakota $68,810Virginia $66,540Connecticut $65,400Nebraska $63,000West Virginia $62,530Kansas $61,840North Carolina $61,430Louisiana $59,940Montana $59,490Kentucky $54,570Pennsylvania $50,250Florida $31,200
Working as Fish and Game Wardens in California
Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Fish and Game Wardens in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($100,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Fish and Game Wardens make in California?
The median Fish and Game Wardens salary in California is $100,090 per year, or about $48.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,710 at the entry level to $116,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Fish and Game Wardens about 35% more than the national median of $74,060. California ranks 1st out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Fish and Game Wardens?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,090 a year. About 330 Fish and Game Wardens are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Fish and Game Wardens salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.