Game Warden in Washington — 2026 Career Guide

Game wardens in Washington are sworn law enforcement officers who enforce wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural-resource laws under the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program. Washington is the third-highest-paying state for game wardens at $82,320 mean annual wage. Game wardens in Washington earn a mean annual wage of $82,320 ($39.58/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $21,940 above the national median of $60,380 — a 36% premium for Washington wardens. The BLS counts 100 fish and game wardens employed in Washington.

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

Washington Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Washington earn a mean annual wage of $82,320 ($39.58/hour), according to BLS OEWS May 2023 data for SOC 33-3031. That is $21,940 above the national median of $60,380 — a 36% premium for Washington wardens. The BLS counts 100 fish and game wardens employed in Washington. BLS OEWS May 2023: 100 employed, mean $82,320/yr ($39.58/hr) — the #3 highest-paying state. 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). Washington 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

Washington Game Warden Requirements

To become a game warden in Washington, applicants must meet the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 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

Washington is the third-highest-paying state for game wardens at $82,320 mean annual wage. Washington 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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program for the official, current requirements before applying.

Washington Game Warden Academy & Training

Washington game wardens train at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) 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 Washington's academy to other states in our game warden academy guide, which details timelines and curricula nationwide.

How to Become a Game Warden in Washington: 5 Steps

The path to becoming a Washington 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 Washington.
2. Complete education or qualifying experience — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
3. Apply and pass the entrance exams — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife administers a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, and background investigation.
4. Graduate from the academy — Complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Academy program.
5. Field training and sworn commission — Complete supervised patrol before receiving full Washington game warden commission.

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

Washington Game Warden FAQ

How much does a game warden make in Washington? Game wardens in Washington earn a mean annual wage of $82,320 ($39.58/hour) per BLS OEWS May 2023 data — above the national median of $60,380.

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

How long does it take to become a game warden in Washington? 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 Washington? The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program. Visit https://wdfw.wa.gov for current openings.

Explore Neighboring States

Compare Washington to nearby states: Oregon, 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
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program: https://wdfw.wa.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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before applying.