Game Warden in North Dakota — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in North Dakota are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division. North Dakota is a top-5 highest-paying state for game wardens at $75,720 mean annual wage. Game wardens in North Dakota earn a mean annual wage of $75,720 ($36.40/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $15,340 above the national median of $60,380 — a 25% premium for North Dakota wardens. The BLS counts 30 fish and game wardens employed in North Dakota.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

North Dakota Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in North Dakota earn a mean annual wage of $75,720 ($36.40/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $15,340 above the national median of $60,380 — a 25% premium for North Dakota wardens. The BLS counts 30 fish and game wardens employed in North Dakota. BLS OEWS May 2023: 30 employed, mean $75,720/yr ($36.40/hr) — top-5 highest-paying state. 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). North Dakota 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

North Dakota Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in North Dakota, applicants must meet the North Dakota Game and Fish Department baseline standards:

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

North Dakota is a top-5 highest-paying state for game wardens at $75,720 mean annual wage. North Dakota 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 North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

North Dakota Game Warden Academy & Training

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

How to Become a Game Warden in North Dakota: 5 Steps

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

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

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

North Dakota Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in North Dakota? Game wardens in North Dakota earn a mean annual wage of $75,720 ($36.40/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in North Dakota? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + 2 years college or experience, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in North Dakota? 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 North Dakota? The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division. Visit https://gf.nd.gov for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare North Dakota to nearby states: Montana, Minnesota, South 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
• North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division: https://gf.nd.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 North Dakota Game and Fish Department before applying.