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Occupation · SOC 33-3031

Fish and Game Wardens

There are 5,770 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $74,060 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
5,770
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$74,060
Median pay a year
Middle half: $61,430–$89,110
500
Annual openings
10-year change: −5.7%
Bachelor's degree
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 13 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $73,130 · LCA filings 090$73,1300
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCMedian pay $63,060 · LCA filings 080$63,0600
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $31,200 · LCA filings 060$31,2000
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $79,440 · LCA filings 050$79,4400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $87,140 · LCA filings 050$87,1400
Syracuse, NYMedian pay $56,730 · LCA filings 050$56,7300
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $85,980 · LCA filings 040$85,9800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $76,290 · LCA filings 040$76,2900
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $105,780 · LCA filings 040$105,7800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $89,300 · LCA filings 040$89,3000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$105,780400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$89,300400
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$89,110300
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$87,140500
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$85,980400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $68,078 · Level III $77,542 · Level IV $87,027$58,594$68,078$77,542$87,027
Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCLevel II $57,866 · Level III $63,586 · Level IV $69,326$52,125$57,866$63,586$69,326
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $31,845 · Level III $32,510 · Level IV $33,155$31,200$31,845$32,510$33,155
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $72,093 · Level III $80,246 · Level IV $88,400$63,939$72,093$80,246$88,400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $79,664 · Level III $89,419 · Level IV $99,154$69,930$79,664$89,419$99,154
Syracuse, NYLevel II $62,795 · Level III $68,848 · Level IV $74,922$56,722$62,795$68,848$74,922
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $68,952 · Level III $79,352 · Level IV $89,752$58,552$68,952$79,352$89,752
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $70,138 · Level III $80,018 · Level IV $89,898$60,258$70,138$80,018$89,898
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $87,901 · Level III $100,422 · Level IV $112,923$75,400$87,901$100,422$112,923
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $75,754 · Level III $85,446 · Level IV $95,139$66,061$75,754$85,446$95,139

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicyCIP 03.02Varies by program217Varies by program
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and ManagementCIP 03.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months24STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months

See Fish and Game Wardens in every metro area

All 13 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology