Game Warden in Georgia — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Georgia are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division. Georgia DNR game wardens cover game management areas across all 159 counties. Game wardens in Georgia earn a mean annual wage of $68,610 ($32.98/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $8,230 above the national median of $60,380 — a 14% premium for Georgia wardens. The BLS counts 50 fish and game wardens employed in Georgia.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Georgia Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Georgia earn a mean annual wage of $68,610 ($32.98/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $8,230 above the national median of $60,380 — a 14% premium for Georgia wardens. The BLS counts 50 fish and game wardens employed in Georgia. BLS OEWS May 2023: metro Atlanta reported mean $68,610/yr ($32.98/hr) for 50 officers. 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). Georgia wardens rank among the higher-paying states for this profession. Actual pay depends on experience, rank, and whether the warden is state- or federally-employed.

Related: Game warden salary overview · Best states for game wardens

Georgia Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Georgia, applicants must meet the Georgia Department of Natural Resources baseline standards:

• Minimum age: 21
• Education: High school diploma + bachelor's preferred
• U.S. citizenship: Required
• Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
• Valid driver's license: Required

Georgia DNR game wardens cover game management areas across all 159 counties. Georgia 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.

Verify with the agency: Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Georgia Game Warden Academy & Training

Georgia game wardens train at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC / POST certified), 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.

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

How to Become a Game Warden in Georgia: 5 Steps

The path to becoming a Georgia game warden follows five core steps:

1. Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + bachelor's preferred), and a clean background for Georgia.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — Georgia Department of Natural Resources administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC / POST certified) program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Georgia game warden commission.

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

Georgia Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Georgia? Game wardens in Georgia earn a mean annual wage of $68,610 ($32.98/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Georgia? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + bachelor's preferred, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Georgia? 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 Georgia? The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division. Visit https://gadnrle.org for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Georgia to nearby states: Florida, Alabama, Tennessee. 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
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division: https://gadnrle.org
• 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. Salary data reflects BLS OEWS May 2023. Verify all current requirements with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources before applying.