Fish and Game Wardens salary in South Dakota
Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota earn a median of $68,810 a year ($33.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,860 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $74,060. South Dakota ranks 24th of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.21 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,080, close to the median.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,170 | $17.87 |
| 25th percentile | $62,320 | $29.96 |
| Median | $68,810 | $33.08 |
| 75th percentile | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Average (mean) | $67,080 | $32.25 |
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 | $5,734.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,867.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,646.54 |
| Weekly | $1,323.27 |
| Hourly | $33.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in South Dakota is $68,810 a year, or $33.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in South Dakota earn at least $84,860 a year. The top 25% earn $77,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,170 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $62,320 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in South Dakota?
About 100 fish and game wardens are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.