Career Guide

Game Warden in Oregon — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools Research Team · Last updated 2026-06

Game wardens in Oregon are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division. Oregon fish and wildlife troopers are part of the State Police, unlike most states' separate agencies. The BLS does not separately report game-warden wage data for Oregon in its May 2023 OEWS release — when a state's workforce is small, the figure is suppressed for statistical reliability. We do not estimate suppressed figures. For current Oregon game warden pay, consult the Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division, which lists salary ranges in active job postings. Nationally, the BLS reports a median of $60,380 across 6,290 wardens.

Oregon game warden in uniform patrolling a coastal wildlife area, water setting

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. BLS does not separately report Oregon wage data; verify with the state agency. Requirements sourced from the Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Oregon Game Warden Salary

The BLS does not separately report game-warden wage data for Oregon in its May 2023 OEWS release — when a state's workforce is small, the figure is suppressed for statistical reliability. We do not estimate suppressed figures. For current Oregon game warden pay, consult the Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division, which lists salary ranges in active job postings. Nationally, the BLS reports a median of $60,380 across 6,290 wardens. Not separately reported in BLS OEWS May 2023 national top lists; verify with state agency. 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). Oregon wardens should verify current pay ranges with the Oregon State Police, as the BLS does not separately report the state's data. Actual pay depends on experience, rank, and whether the warden is state- or federally-employed.

Bar chart comparing Oregon game warden mean wage to the national median and the highest-paying state

Oregon Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Oregon, applicants must meet the Oregon State Police 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

Oregon fish and wildlife troopers are part of the State Police, unlike most states' separate agencies. Oregon 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.

Checklist of Oregon game warden requirements with agency-specific notes

Verify with the agency: Visit the Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Oregon Game Warden Academy & Training

Oregon game wardens train at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), 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.

Oregon game warden academy recruits in training, classroom and field exercises

Compare Oregon's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in Oregon: 5 Steps

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

Meet the baseline — Confirm U.S. citizenship, age 21, education (High school diploma + bachelor's preferred), and a clean background for Oregon.
Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
Apply and pass the entrance exams — Oregon State Police administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
Graduate from the academy — Complete the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) program.
Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Oregon game warden commission.

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

Numbered 5-step infographic for becoming a Oregon game warden

Oregon Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Oregon? The BLS does not separately report Oregon wage data. Verify current pay with the Oregon State Police, and see our salary by state page for states with reported data.

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

How long does it take to become a game warden in Oregon? 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 Oregon? The Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division. Visit https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Oregon to nearby states: California, Washington, Idaho. 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
Oregon State Police, Fish and Wildlife Division: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw
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. BLS does not separately report Oregon wage data; verify with the state agency. Verify all current requirements with the Oregon State Police before applying.