Career Guide

Game Warden in Montana — 2026 Career Guide

Q: 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.

By WardenTools · Last updated 2026-06

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. BLS OEWS May 2023 puts Montana game-warden pay at a $64,110 mean annual wage ($30.82/hour) for SOC 33-3031 — $3,730 above the $60,380 national midpoint, a 6% premium, across 80 employed wardens. Fieldwork in Montana centers on vast Rocky Mountain backcountry and big-game enforcement at high per-capita warden density (LQ 3.94).

Montana game warden in uniform patrolling a mountain valley wildlife area in the northern Rockies

Written by the WardenTools. 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

Here's how Montana game warden pay compares. The BLS OEWS May 2023 mean annual wage for SOC 33-3031 is $64,110 ($30.82/hour) across 80 employed wardens — $3,730 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). Montana 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): 80 of the BLS-counted 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens work in Montana — 1.3% of the national total. BLS also reports a location quotient of 3.94 for Montana — meaning the warden occupation is 3.9× 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 Montana game warden mean wage to the national median and the highest-paying state

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 wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division. The demands of vast Rocky Mountain backcountry and big-game enforcement at high per-capita warden density (LQ 3.94) shape the daily routine. On the credential side, applicants must clear the state’s education bar — high school diploma + college coursework preferred — before testing begins; 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 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. Training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) 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 vast Rocky Mountain backcountry and big-game enforcement at high per-capita warden density (LQ 3.94) — before the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division grants 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:

Lock in the basics — U.S. citizenship, the minimum age of 21, high school diploma + college coursework preferred, and a clean record are the entry bar in Montana.
Satisfy the education or experience requirement — High school diploma + college coursework preferred.
Submit your application and clear the exam battery — The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Law Enforcement Division stages a written test, physical agility assessment, oral board, and background investigation.
Earn your academy diploma — Finish the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) program.
Complete field training, then take the oath — Supervised patrol precedes 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? 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 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.