Fish and Game Wardens salary in California
Fish and Game Wardens in California earn a median of $100,090 a year ($48.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,330 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $74,060. California ranks 1st of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $96,130, close to the median.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,710 | $33.52 |
| 25th percentile | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Median | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| 75th percentile | $110,780 | $53.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,330 | $55.93 |
| Average (mean) | $96,130 | $46.21 |
Half of fish and game wardens earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,340.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,170.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,849.62 |
| Weekly | $1,924.81 |
| Hourly | $48.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fish and Game Wardens salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $105,780 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $87,140 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for fish and game wardens
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $109,650 | $52.71 |
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fish and game wardens make in California?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in California is $100,090 a year, or $48.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in California?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in California earn at least $116,330 a year. The top 25% earn $110,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,710 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $74,790 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in California?
About 330 fish and game wardens are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.