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Fish and Game Wardens Salary in Maryland: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Fish and Game Wardens salary really buy you in Maryland?

Maryland is 5.0% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$87,180
Median annual (2024)
-4.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$83,028
COL-adjusted (RPP=105.0)

Maryland Cost of Living Index

Maryland's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 105.0, meaning prices are 5.0% higher the national average. A Fish and Game Wardens earning $87,180 in Maryland has the equivalent purchasing power of $83,028 in an average-cost US state.

MD: 105.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Maryland's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $77,140 $73,466 $-3,673
25th Percentile (P25) $85,050 $81,000 $-4,050
Median (P50) $87,180 $83,028 $-4,151
75th Percentile (P75) $96,170 $91,590 $-4,579
90th Percentile (P90) $96,170 $91,590 $-4,579
Key Insight

While $87,180 sounds high, Maryland's elevated cost of living erases 5% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $83,028. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Fish and Game Wardens (After Cost of Living)

Where does Fish and Game Wardens salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Indiana
$108,921
RPP 91.8
$105,100
RPP 109.8
3. Iowa
$104,377
RPP 88.4
$90,439
RPP 88.7
5. Nevada
$87,427
RPP 96.4
$84,435
RPP 112.5
7. Ohio
$84,010
RPP 91.5
8. Texas
$83,979
RPP 97.5
$83,028
RPP 105.0
10. Tennessee
$82,712
RPP 91.8

Maryland ranks #9 out of 36 states for Fish and Game Wardens after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Fish and Game Wardens in Maryland after cost of living?

A Fish and Game Wardens in Maryland earns a median salary of $87,180 per year. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (RPP=105.0), the real purchasing power is $83,028 — a -4.8% difference.

Is Maryland expensive to live in?

Maryland's cost of living is 5.0% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Fish and Game Wardens in Maryland: $87,180 x (100 / 105.0) = $83,028. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Maryland offset the salary?

Partially — a Fish and Game Wardens's nominal salary of $87,180 in Maryland has 4.8% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $83,028. However, Maryland may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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