Career Guide

Game Warden in Hawaii — 2026 Career Guide

Q: 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.

By WardenTools · 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. BLS OEWS May 2023 puts Hawaii game-warden pay at a $73,070 mean annual wage ($35.13/hour) for SOC 33-3031 — $12,690 above the $60,380 national midpoint, a 21% premium, across 100 employed wardens. Fieldwork in Hawaii centers on inter-island enforcement of coral-reef, nearshore fishery, and endangered-species protections (LQ 3.83).

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

Written by the WardenTools. 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

Here's how Hawaii game warden pay compares. The BLS OEWS May 2023 mean annual wage for SOC 33-3031 is $73,070 ($35.13/hour) across 100 employed wardens — $12,690 above the national median. 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 above the U.S. midpoint. Actual pay depends on experience, rank, and whether the warden is state- or federally-employed.

Employment density (computed): 100 of the BLS-counted 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens work in Hawaii — 1.6% of the national total. BLS also reports a location quotient of 3.83 for Hawaii — meaning the warden occupation is 3.8× more concentrated here than the national average. Source: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 33-3031; share computed by WardenTools from published state and national employment counts.

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 wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). The demands of inter-island enforcement of coral-reef, nearshore fishery, and endangered-species protections (LQ 3.83) shape the daily routine. On the credential side, Hawaii screens on background and fitness rather than prior college credits; the hiring gauntlet combines a written exam, physical agility test, oral board interview, fingerprint-based background check, 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 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. Training at the Hawaii Police Academy (state law enforcement training) spans approximately 22-36 weeks, blending criminal-law classroom work with firearms, defensive tactics, wildlife identification, boat handling, and field rescue drills. New officers then finish a supervised field-training stretch — much of it shaped by inter-island enforcement of coral-reef, nearshore fishery, and endangered-species protections (LQ 3.83) — before the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) grants full sworn commission.

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:

Lock in the basics — U.S. citizenship, the minimum age of 21, high school diploma + experience/education combination, and a clean record are the entry bar in Hawaii.
Satisfy the education or experience requirement — High school diploma + experience/education combination.
Submit your application and clear the exam battery — The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) stages a written test, physical agility assessment, oral board, and background investigation.
Earn your academy diploma — Finish the Hawaii Police Academy (state law enforcement training) program.
Complete field training, then take the oath — Supervised patrol precedes full Hawaii game-warden commission.

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

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? Expect about 12 to 24 months end-to-end — hiring and testing (3–6 months), the academy (approximately 22-36 weeks), then field training (3–6 months). Timelines shift with academy class scheduling.

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.