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Game Warden in Minnesota — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools · Last updated 2026-06

Game wardens in Minnesota are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division. Minnesota is the second-highest-paying state for game wardens at $88,280 mean annual wage. BLS OEWS May 2023 puts Minnesota game-warden pay at a $88,280 mean annual wage ($42.44/hour) for SOC 33-3031 — $27,900 above the $60,380 national midpoint, a 46% premium, across 140 employed wardens. Fieldwork in Minnesota centers on Boundary Waters and 10,000-lake enforcement at the nation's second-highest pay ($88,280).

Minnesota game warden in uniform patrolling a lakeside wildlife area in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, water setting
Minnesota game warden in uniform patrolling a lakeside wildlife area in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, water setting

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

Minnesota Game Warden Salary

Here's how Minnesota game warden pay compares. The BLS OEWS May 2023 mean annual wage for SOC 33-3031 is $88,280 ($42.44/hour) across 140 employed wardens — $27,900 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). Minnesota 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): 140 of the BLS-counted 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens work in Minnesota — 2.2% of the national total. That share ranks in the mid-to-lower state warden workforces nationally. Source: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 33-3031; share computed by WardenTools from published state and national employment counts.

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

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

Minnesota Game Warden Requirements

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

  • Minimum age: 21
  • Education: High school diploma + 2-year degree or experience
  • U.S. citizenship: Required
  • Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
  • Valid driver's license: Required

Minnesota wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division. The demands of Boundary Waters and 10,000-lake enforcement at the nation's second-highest pay ($88,280) shape the daily routine. On the credential side, Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Minnesota Game Warden Academy & Training

Minnesota game wardens train at the Minnesota Conservation Officer Training ( Skills / Academy program), completing state peace-officer certification plus agency-specific wildlife enforcement training. Training at the Minnesota Conservation Officer Training ( Skills / Academy program) 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 Boundary Waters and 10,000-lake enforcement at the nation's second-highest pay ($88,280) — before the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division grants full sworn commission.

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

How to Become a Game Warden in Minnesota: 5 Steps

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

  1. Lock in the basics — U.S. citizenship, the minimum age of 21, high school diploma + 2-year degree or experience, and a clean record are the entry bar in Minnesota.
  2. Satisfy the education or experience requirement — High school diploma + 2-year degree or experience.
  3. Submit your application and clear the exam battery — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division stages a written test, physical agility assessment, oral board, and background investigation.
  4. Earn your academy diploma — Finish the Minnesota Conservation Officer Training ( Skills / Academy program) program.
  5. Complete field training, then take the oath — Supervised patrol precedes full Minnesota game-warden commission.

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

Minnesota Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Minnesota? Game wardens in Minnesota earn a mean annual wage of $88,280 ($42.44/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Minnesota? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + 2-year degree or experience, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Minnesota? 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 Minnesota? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Enforcement Division. Visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Minnesota to nearby states: Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota. Or browse the full state directory for all 50 states plus DC.

Sources

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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before applying.