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Game Warden in North Dakota — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools · Last updated 2026-06

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. BLS OEWS May 2023 puts North Dakota game-warden pay at a $75,720 mean annual wage ($36.4/hour) for SOC 33-3031 — $15,340 above the $60,380 national midpoint, a 25% premium, across 30 employed wardens. Fieldwork in North Dakota centers on prairie pothole and Missouri River enforcement at a top-five national pay tier ($75,720).

North Dakota game warden in uniform patrolling a prairie pothole wildlife area on the northern plains
North Dakota game warden in uniform patrolling a prairie pothole wildlife area on the northern plains

Written by the WardenTools. 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

Here's how North Dakota game warden pay compares. The BLS OEWS May 2023 mean annual wage for SOC 33-3031 is $75,720 ($36.4/hour) across 30 employed wardens — $15,340 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). North Dakota 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): 30 of the BLS-counted 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens work in North Dakota — 0.5% 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 North Dakota game warden mean wage to the national median and the highest-paying state
Bar chart comparing North Dakota game warden mean wage to the national median and the highest-paying state

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 wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division. The demands of prairie pothole and Missouri River enforcement at a top-five national pay tier ($75,720) shape the daily routine. On the credential side, applicants must clear the state’s education bar — high school diploma + 2 years college or experience — 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 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. Training at the North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy (POST) 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 prairie pothole and Missouri River enforcement at a top-five national pay tier ($75,720) — before the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division grants 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. Lock in the basics — U.S. citizenship, the minimum age of 21, high school diploma + 2 years college or experience, and a clean record are the entry bar in North Dakota.
  2. Satisfy the education or experience requirement — High school diploma + 2 years college or experience.
  3. Submit your application and clear the exam battery — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Law Enforcement Division stages a written test, physical agility assessment, oral board, and background investigation.
  4. Earn your academy diploma — Finish the North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy (POST) program.
  5. Complete field training, then take the oath — Supervised patrol precedes 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 ($36.4/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? 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 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

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.