Fish and Game Wardens salary in West Virginia
Fish and Game Wardens in West Virginia earn a median of $62,530 a year ($30.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,430 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,060. West Virginia ranks 28th of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.16 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,540 | $29.10 |
| 25th percentile | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Median | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| 75th percentile | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| Average (mean) | $64,450 | $30.99 |
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 | $5,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,605.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,405 |
| Weekly | $1,202.50 |
| Hourly | $30.06 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,300 | 40 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Bailiff | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in West Virginia is $62,530 a year, or $30.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in West Virginia earn at least $75,430 a year. The top 25% earn $66,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,540 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $61,320 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in West Virginia?
About 110 fish and game wardens are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.