Fish and Game Wardens salary in Montana
Fish and Game Wardens in Montana earn a median of $59,490 a year ($28.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,550 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,060. Montana ranks 32nd of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.14 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| 25th percentile | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Median | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| 75th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Average (mean) | $61,670 | $29.65 |
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 | $4,957.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,478.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,288.08 |
| Weekly | $1,144.04 |
| Hourly | $28.60 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Bailiff | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in Montana is $59,490 a year, or $28.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in Montana?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in Montana earn at least $73,550 a year. The top 25% earn $61,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,030 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $57,300 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in Montana?
About 70 fish and game wardens are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.