Career Guide

Game Warden in Washington — 2026 Career Guide

Q: 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.

By WardenTools · Last updated 2026-06

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. BLS OEWS May 2023 puts Washington game-warden pay at a $82,320 mean annual wage ($39.58/hour) for SOC 33-3031 — $21,940 above the $60,380 national midpoint, a 36% premium, across 100 employed wardens. Fieldwork in Washington centers on Puget Sound marine and Cascade-range enforcement at the nation's third-highest pay ($82,320).

Written by the WardenTools. 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

Here's how Washington game warden pay compares. The BLS OEWS May 2023 mean annual wage for SOC 33-3031 is $82,320 ($39.58/hour) across 100 employed wardens — $21,940 above the national median. 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 above the U.S. midpoint. Actual pay depends on experience, rank, and whether the warden is state- or federally-employed.

Employment density (computed): 100 of the BLS-counted 6,290 U.S. fish and game wardens work in Washington — 1.6% of the national total. That share ranks in the mid-to-lower state warden workforces nationally. Source: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 33-3031; share computed by WardenTools from published state and national employment counts.

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

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 wardens are sworn officers whose arrest authority covers wildlife and natural-resource violations statewide under the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program. The demands of Puget Sound marine and Cascade-range enforcement at the nation's third-highest pay ($82,320) 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 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. Training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Academy spans approximately 22-36 weeks, blending criminal-law classroom work with firearms, defensive tactics, wildlife identification, boat handling, and field rescue drills. New officers then finish a supervised field-training stretch — much of it shaped by Puget Sound marine and Cascade-range enforcement at the nation's third-highest pay ($82,320) — before the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program grants 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:

Lock in the basics — U.S. citizenship, the minimum age of 21, high school diploma + bachelor's preferred, and a clean record are the entry bar in Washington.
Satisfy the education or experience requirement — High school diploma + bachelor's preferred.
Submit your application and clear the exam battery — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Program stages a written test, physical agility assessment, oral board, and background investigation.
Earn your academy diploma — Finish the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Academy program.
Complete field training, then take the oath — Supervised patrol precedes 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? Expect about 12 to 24 months end-to-end — hiring and testing (3–6 months), the academy (approximately 22-36 weeks), then field training (3–6 months). Timelines shift with academy class scheduling.

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.