Game Warden in Maine — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Maine are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service. Maine's warden service, founded in 1880, is one of the oldest wildlife law enforcement agencies in the US. Game wardens in Maine earn a mean annual wage of $64,640 ($31.08/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $4,260 above the national median of $60,380 — a 7% premium for Maine wardens. The BLS counts 150 fish and game wardens employed in Maine.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Maine Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Maine earn a mean annual wage of $64,640 ($31.08/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $4,260 above the national median of $60,380 — a 7% premium for Maine wardens. The BLS counts 150 fish and game wardens employed in Maine. BLS OEWS May 2023: 150 employed, mean $64,640/yr ($31.08/hr) — top-5 by concentration (LQ 5.85). 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). Maine 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

Maine Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Maine, applicants must meet the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife baseline standards:

• Minimum age: 21
• Education: High school diploma + 60 college credits or 2 years military
• U.S. citizenship: Required
• Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
• Valid driver's license: Required

Maine's warden service, founded in 1880, is one of the oldest wildlife law enforcement agencies in the US. Maine 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 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service for the official, current requirements before applying.

Maine Game Warden Academy & Training

Maine game wardens train at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA), 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 Maine's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in Maine: 5 Steps

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

1. Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + 60 college credits or 2 years military), and a clean background for Maine.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + 60 college credits or 2 years military.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Maine game warden commission.

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

Maine Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Maine? Game wardens in Maine earn a mean annual wage of $64,640 ($31.08/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Maine? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + 60 college credits or 2 years military, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Maine? 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 Maine? The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service. Visit https://www.maine.gov/ifw for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Maine to nearby states: New Hampshire, Vermont. 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
• Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Warden Service: https://www.maine.gov/ifw
• 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 Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before applying.