Fish and Game Wardens salary in Virginia
Fish and Game Wardens in Virginia earn a median of $66,540 a year ($31.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,550 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $74,060. Virginia ranks 25th of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.04 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| 25th percentile | $57,770 | $27.78 |
| Median | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| 75th percentile | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Average (mean) | $68,110 | $32.75 |
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 | $5,545 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,772.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,559.23 |
| Weekly | $1,279.62 |
| Hourly | $31.99 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,300 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,060 | 80 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| Bailiff | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Security Guard | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Firefighter | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in Virginia is $66,540 a year, or $31.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in Virginia?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in Virginia earn at least $83,550 a year. The top 25% earn $78,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,700 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $57,770 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in Virginia?
About 180 fish and game wardens are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.