Career Guide

Game Warden in Hawaii — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools Research Team · Last updated 2026-06

Game wardens in Hawaii are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). Hawaii DOCARE officers enforce both terrestrial and marine resource laws across the island chain. Game wardens in Hawaii earn a mean annual wage of $73,070 ($35.13/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $12,690 above the national median of $60,380 — a 21% premium for Hawaii wardens. The BLS counts 100 fish and game wardens employed in Hawaii.

Hawaii game warden in uniform patrolling a coastal wildlife area, water setting

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Hawaii Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Hawaii earn a mean annual wage of $73,070 ($35.13/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $12,690 above the national median of $60,380 — a 21% premium for Hawaii wardens. The BLS counts 100 fish and game wardens employed in Hawaii. BLS OEWS May 2023: 100 employed, mean $73,070/yr ($35.13/hr) — top-5 by concentration (LQ 3.83). 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). Hawaii 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.

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

Hawaii Game Warden Requirements

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

Minimum age: 21
Education: High school diploma + experience/education combination
U.S. citizenship: Required
Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
Valid driver's license: Required

Hawaii DOCARE officers enforce both terrestrial and marine resource laws across the island chain. Hawaii 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 Hawaii game warden requirements with agency-specific notes

Verify with the agency: Visit the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) for the official, current requirements before applying.

Hawaii Game Warden Academy & Training

Hawaii game wardens train at the Hawaii Police Academy (state law enforcement training), 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.

Hawaii game warden academy recruits in training, classroom and field exercises

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

How to Become a Game Warden in Hawaii: 5 Steps

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

Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + experience/education combination), and a clean background for Hawaii.
Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + experience/education combination.
Apply and pass the entrance exams — Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
Graduate from the academy — Complete the Hawaii Police Academy (state law enforcement training) program.
Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Hawaii game warden commission.

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

Numbered 5-step infographic for becoming a Hawaii game warden

Hawaii Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Hawaii? Game wardens in Hawaii earn a mean annual wage of $73,070 ($35.13/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Hawaii? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + experience/education combination, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Hawaii? 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 Hawaii? The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). Visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/docare for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Hawaii to nearby states: California, Nevada. 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
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE): https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/docare
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 Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources before applying.