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Game Warden in Vermont — 2026 Career Guide

By WardenTools · Last updated 2026-06

Game wardens in Vermont are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division. Vermont game wardens serve as the primary search-and-rescue responders in remote rural areas. Because the BLS suppresses wage figures when a state's warden workforce falls below its reporting threshold, Vermont has no published game-warden pay band in the May 2023 release. Rather than fabricate a number, we point applicants to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division, whose current job postings carry the live salary range. What sets Vermont apart is remote-rural search-and-rescue and Green Mountain backcountry fish and game enforcement. Nationally, the BLS reports a median of $60,380 across 6,290 wardens.

Written by the WardenTools. BLS does not separately report Vermont wage data; verify with the state agency. Requirements sourced from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Vermont Game Warden Salary

The BLS does not separately report Vermont game-warden wages in the May 2023 OEWS release. Verify current pay with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division, and see our salary by state page for states with reported data.

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). Vermont wardens should verify current pay ranges with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division, 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.

Related: Game warden salary overview · Best states for game wardens

Vermont Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Vermont, applicants must meet the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department baseline standards:

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Education: High school diploma + bachelor's preferred
  • U.S. citizenship: Required
  • Clean criminal background: Required (felony convictions disqualify)
  • Valid driver's license: Required

Vermont wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division. The demands of remote-rural search-and-rescue and Green Mountain backcountry fish and game enforcement shape the daily routine. On the credential side, applicants must clear the state’s education bar — high school diploma + bachelor's preferred — 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 Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Vermont Game Warden Academy & Training

Vermont game wardens train at the Vermont Police Academy (VCJTC), completing state peace-officer certification plus agency-specific wildlife enforcement training. The Vermont Police Academy (VCJTC) runs approximately 22-36 weeks, layering criminal law, firearms qualification, defensive tactics, wildlife and fisheries statutes, vessel operation, and search-and-rescue on top of standard peace-officer certification. Graduates then serve a supervised field-training rotation weighted toward remote-rural search-and-rescue and Green Mountain backcountry fish and game enforcement before earning full commission from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division.

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

How to Become a Game Warden in Vermont: 5 Steps

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

  1. Confirm eligibility — Verify U.S. citizenship, the age-18 floor, education (High school diploma + bachelor's preferred), and a clean background for Vermont.
  2. Earn the required credentials — Satisfy the high school diploma + bachelor's preferred standard before applying.
  3. Apply and test — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division runs a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
  4. Complete the academy — Graduate from the Vermont Police Academy (VCJTC) program.
  5. Field-train and get sworn — Finish supervised patrol before receiving full Vermont commission.

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

Vermont Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Vermont? The BLS does not separately report Vermont wage data. Verify current pay with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division, and see our salary by state page for states with reported data.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Vermont? Minimum age 18, High school diploma + bachelor's preferred, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Vermont? Plan on roughly 14 to 26 months from application to sworn commission: the hiring gauntlet (3–6 months), the academy (approximately 22-36 weeks), and supervised field training (3–6 months).

Which agency hires game wardens in Vermont? The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement Division. Visit https://vtfishandwildlife.com for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Vermont to nearby states: New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts. 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. BLS does not separately report Vermont wage data; verify with the state agency. Verify all current requirements with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department before applying.