Game Warden in Virginia — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Virginia are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division. Virginia conservation police officers have full law enforcement authority across all 133 counties. Game wardens in Virginia earn a mean annual wage of $54,880 ($26.38/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $5,500 below the national median of $60,380 — 9% lower than the U.S. midpoint. The BLS counts 80 fish and game wardens employed in Virginia.

Written by the WardenTools Research Team. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2023. Requirements sourced from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division. This is career information — verify current standards with the agency before applying.

Virginia Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Virginia earn a mean annual wage of $54,880 ($26.38/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $5,500 below the national median of $60,380 — 9% lower than the U.S. midpoint. The BLS counts 80 fish and game wardens employed in Virginia. BLS OEWS May 2023: Virginia Beach metro reported mean $54,880/yr ($26.38/hr) for 80 officers. 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). Virginia wardens sit below the national midpoint, though local cost of living may offset the gap. 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

Virginia Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Virginia, applicants must meet the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources baseline standards:

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

Virginia conservation police officers have full law enforcement authority across all 133 counties. Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division for the official, current requirements before applying.

Virginia Game Warden Academy & Training

Virginia game wardens train at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Basic Academy, 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 Virginia's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in Virginia: 5 Steps

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

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

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

Virginia Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Virginia? Game wardens in Virginia earn a mean annual wage of $54,880 ($26.38/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — below the national median of $60,380.

What are the requirements to be a game warden in Virginia? Minimum age 21, High school diploma + college coursework, U.S. citizenship, a clean criminal record, and a valid driver's license. See the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division for official current standards.

How long does it take to become a game warden in Virginia? 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 Virginia? The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division. Visit https://dwr.virginia.gov for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Virginia to nearby states: North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia. 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
• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Law Enforcement Division: https://dwr.virginia.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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources before applying.