Fish and Game Wardens salary in Iowa
Fish and Game Wardens in Iowa earn a median of $98,260 a year ($47.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,260 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $74,060. Iowa ranks 2nd of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,620, close to the median.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| 25th percentile | $77,980 | $37.49 |
| Median | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| 75th percentile | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| Average (mean) | $89,620 | $43.09 |
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 | $8,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,094.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,779.23 |
| Weekly | $1,889.62 |
| Hourly | $47.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for fish and game wardens
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $100,090 |
| Iowa | $98,260 |
| Indiana | $93,990 |
| Nevada | $91,750 |
| Maryland | $89,300 |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 |
| Michigan | $87,460 |
| Texas | $85,980 |
| New York | $80,060 |
| North Dakota | $79,520 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Bailiff | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in Iowa is $98,260 a year, or $47.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in Iowa?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in Iowa earn at least $98,260 a year. The top 25% earn $98,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,400 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $77,980 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in Iowa?
About 120 fish and game wardens are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.