Game Warden in New Jersey — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in New Jersey are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement. New Jersey conservation police officers patrol the Pine Barrens and Delaware River corridor. Game wardens in New Jersey earn a mean annual wage of $63,850 ($30.70/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $3,470 above the national median of $60,380 — a 6% premium for New Jersey wardens. The BLS counts 40 fish and game wardens employed in New Jersey.

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

New Jersey Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in New Jersey earn a mean annual wage of $63,850 ($30.70/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $3,470 above the national median of $60,380 — a 6% premium for New Jersey wardens. The BLS counts 40 fish and game wardens employed in New Jersey. BLS OEWS May 2023: Philadelphia metro area reported mean $63,850/yr ($30.70/hr) for 40 officers. 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). New Jersey 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

New Jersey Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in New Jersey, applicants must meet the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife baseline standards:

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

New Jersey conservation police officers patrol the Pine Barrens and Delaware River corridor. New Jersey 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 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement for the official, current requirements before applying.

New Jersey Game Warden Academy & Training

New Jersey game wardens train at the New Jersey State Police Academy (PTC certified), 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 New Jersey's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in New Jersey: 5 Steps

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

1. Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + bachelor's preferred), and a clean background for New Jersey.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the New Jersey State Police Academy (PTC certified) program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full New Jersey game warden commission.

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

New Jersey Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in New Jersey? Game wardens in New Jersey earn a mean annual wage of $63,850 ($30.70/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

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

How long does it take to become a game warden in New Jersey? 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 New Jersey? The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement. Visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare New Jersey to nearby states: New York, Pennsylvania. 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
• New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement: https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw
• 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 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife before applying.