Game Warden in Montana — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Montana are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division. Montana game wardens patrol vast rural territory with one of the highest per-capita warden concentrations in the US. Game wardens in Montana earn a mean annual wage of $64,110 ($30.82/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $3,730 above the national median of $60,380 — a 6% premium for Montana wardens. The BLS counts 80 fish and game wardens employed in Montana.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Montana Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Montana earn a mean annual wage of $64,110 ($30.82/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $3,730 above the national median of $60,380 — a 6% premium for Montana wardens. The BLS counts 80 fish and game wardens employed in Montana. BLS OEWS May 2023: 80 employed, mean $64,110/yr ($30.82/hr) — top-5 by concentration (LQ 3.94). 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). Montana 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

Montana Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Montana, applicants must meet the Montana Fish baseline standards:

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

Montana game wardens patrol vast rural territory with one of the highest per-capita warden concentrations in the US. Montana 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 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Montana Game Warden Academy & Training

Montana game wardens train at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), 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 Montana's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in Montana: 5 Steps

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

1. Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + college coursework preferred), and a clean background for Montana.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + college coursework preferred.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — Montana Fish administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Montana game warden commission.

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

Montana Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Montana? Game wardens in Montana earn a mean annual wage of $64,110 ($30.82/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Montana? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + college coursework preferred, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Montana? 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 Montana? The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division. Visit https://fwp.mt.gov for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Montana to nearby states: Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota. 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
• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division: https://fwp.mt.gov
• 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 Montana Fish before applying.