Fish and Game Wardens salary in Tennessee
Fish and Game Wardens in Tennessee earn a median of $75,930 a year ($36.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,050 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $74,060. Tennessee ranks 12th of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.07 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| 25th percentile | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Median | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| 75th percentile | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,050 | $45.70 |
| Average (mean) | $76,160 | $36.61 |
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 | $6,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,163.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,920.38 |
| Weekly | $1,460.19 |
| Hourly | $36.51 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,490 | 30 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Bailiff | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in Tennessee is $75,930 a year, or $36.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in Tennessee earn at least $95,050 a year. The top 25% earn $83,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,690 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $66,550 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in Tennessee?
About 220 fish and game wardens are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.