South Dakota Median
$68,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $74,060
State Rank
#24 of 35
100 employed here
How much do Fish and Game Wardens make in South Dakota?
Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota take home a median of $68,810 annually — roughly $33.08 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $74,060.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $37,170 while the top 10% make $84,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,320 and $77,960 a year.
Fish and Game Wardens salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,170 | $17.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,320 | $29.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,810 | $33.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,960 | $37.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,860 | $40.80 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 24th 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
California $100,090Iowa $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 $69,120Virginia $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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($68,810) 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 South Dakota?
The median Fish and Game Wardens salary in South Dakota is $68,810 per year, or about $33.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,170 at the entry level to $84,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Fish and Game Wardens about 7% less than the national median of $74,060. South Dakota ranks 24th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Fish and Game Wardens?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,810 a year. About 100 Fish and Game Wardens are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.