Game Warden in Tennessee — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Tennessee are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Tennessee employs the third-most game wardens (370) with a strong location quotient of 2.74. Game wardens in Tennessee earn a mean annual wage of $72,200 ($34.71/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $11,820 above the national median of $60,380 — a 20% premium for Tennessee wardens. The BLS counts 370 fish and game wardens employed in Tennessee.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Tennessee Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Tennessee earn a mean annual wage of $72,200 ($34.71/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $11,820 above the national median of $60,380 — a 20% premium for Tennessee wardens. The BLS counts 370 fish and game wardens employed in Tennessee. BLS OEWS May 2023: 370 employed, mean $72,200/yr ($34.71/hr) — #3 by employment, top by concentration. 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). Tennessee 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

Tennessee Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Tennessee, applicants must meet the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) 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

Tennessee employs the third-most game wardens (370) with a strong location quotient of 2.74. Tennessee 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for the official, current requirements before applying.

Tennessee Game Warden Academy & Training

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

How to Become a Game Warden in Tennessee: 5 Steps

The path to becoming a Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (POST certified) program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Tennessee game warden commission.

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

Tennessee Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Tennessee? Game wardens in Tennessee earn a mean annual wage of $72,200 ($34.71/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Tennessee? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + bachelor's preferred, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Tennessee? 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 Tennessee? The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Visit https://www.tn.gov/twra for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Tennessee to nearby states: Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia. 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
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA): https://www.tn.gov/twra
• 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) before applying.