Career Guide

Game Warden in District of Columbia — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools Research Team · Last updated 2026-06

Game wardens in District of Columbia are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police. In DC, wildlife and natural resource law enforcement is primarily a federal function under US Park Police. The BLS does not separately report game-warden wage data for District of Columbia in its May 2023 OEWS release — when a state's workforce is small, the figure is suppressed for statistical reliability. We do not estimate suppressed figures. For current District of Columbia game warden pay, consult the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police, which lists salary ranges in active job postings. Nationally, the BLS reports a median of $60,380 across 6,290 wardens.

District of Columbia game warden in uniform patrolling a forested wildlife area, outdoor setting

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. BLS does not separately report District of Columbia wage data; verify with the state agency. Requirements sourced from the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

District of Columbia Game Warden Salary

The BLS does not separately report game-warden wage data for District of Columbia in its May 2023 OEWS release — when a state's workforce is small, the figure is suppressed for statistical reliability. We do not estimate suppressed figures. For current District of Columbia game warden pay, consult the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police, which lists salary ranges in active job postings. Nationally, the BLS reports a median of $60,380 across 6,290 wardens. Not separately reported in BLS OEWS May 2023 national top lists; DC wildlife enforcement is largely federal. For the full national ranking, see game warden salary by state.

For comparison, the national mean wage across all 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens is $61,120, and the national median is $60,380 (BLS OEWS May 2023). District of Columbia wardens should verify current pay ranges with the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police, as the BLS does not separately report the state's data. Actual pay depends on experience, rank, and whether the warden is state- or federally-employed.

Bar chart comparing District of Columbia game warden mean wage to the national median and the highest-paying state

District of Columbia Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in District of Columbia, applicants must meet the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police baseline standards:

Minimum age: 21
Education: Bachelor's degree (federal)
U.S. citizenship: Required
Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
Valid driver's license: Required

In DC, wildlife and natural resource law enforcement is primarily a federal function under US Park Police. District of Columbia wardens are fully sworn peace officers with arrest authority for wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide. The hiring process includes a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, thorough background investigation, and medical/psychological evaluation. See our full game warden requirements guide for the universal baseline that applies across all states.

Checklist of District of Columbia game warden requirements with agency-specific notes

Verify with the agency: Visit the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police for the official, current requirements before applying.

District of Columbia Game Warden Academy & Training

District of Columbia game wardens train at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for federal officers, completing state peace-officer certification plus agency-specific wildlife enforcement training. The combined academy program typically runs 6 to 12 months and covers criminal law, firearms, defensive tactics, wildlife identification, boat operation, and search-and-rescue. After academy graduation, new wardens complete a supervised field-training period before receiving full sworn commission.

District of Columbia game warden academy recruits in training, classroom and field exercises

Compare District of Columbia's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in District of Columbia: 5 Steps

The path to becoming a District of Columbia game warden follows five core steps:

Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (Bachelor's degree (federal)), and a clean background for District of Columbia.
Complete education or qualifying experience — Bachelor's degree (federal).
Apply and pass the entrance exams — DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
Graduate from the academy — Complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for federal officers program.
Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full District of Columbia game warden commission.

For the full nationwide walkthrough, see our how to become a game warden guide.

Numbered 5-step infographic for becoming a District of Columbia game warden

District of Columbia Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in District of Columbia? The BLS does not separately report District of Columbia wage data. Verify current pay with the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police, and see our salary by state page for states with reported data.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in District of Columbia? Minimum age 21, Bachelor's degree (federal), U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in District of Columbia? Typically 12 to 24 months from application to sworn commission, including the hiring process (3–6 months), the academy (6–7 months), and field training (3–6 months).

Which agency hires game wardens in District of Columbia? The DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police. Visit https://doee.dc.gov for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare District of Columbia to nearby states: Maryland, Virginia. Or browse the full state directory for all 50 states plus DC.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2023, Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031): https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes333031.htm
DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police: https://doee.dc.gov
BLS copyright/attribution policy: https://www.bls.gov/bls/copyright.htm

Last updated June 2026. Disclaimer: This is career information compiled from public government sources, not professional counseling. BLS does not separately report District of Columbia wage data; verify with the state agency. Verify all current requirements with the DC Department of Energy and Environment / US Park Police before applying.