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

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

Montana is 9.7% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$60,140
Median annual (2024)
+10.7%
Real Purchasing Power
$66,600
COL-adjusted (RPP=90.3)

Montana Cost of Living Index

Montana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 90.3, meaning prices are 9.7% lower the national average. A Fish and Game Wardens earning $60,140 in Montana has the equivalent purchasing power of $66,600 in an average-cost US state.

MT: 90.3
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 Montana's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $58,560 $64,850 +$6,290
25th Percentile (P25) $58,680 $64,983 +$6,303
Median (P50) $60,140 $66,600 +$6,460
75th Percentile (P75) $61,320 $67,906 +$6,586
90th Percentile (P90) $66,600 $73,754 +$7,154
Key Insight

A Fish and Game Wardens in Montana earns $60,140 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $66,600 in an average-cost state. This makes Montana one of the best value states for this occupation.

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

Montana ranks #24 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 Montana after cost of living?

A Fish and Game Wardens in Montana earns a median salary of $60,140 per year. After adjusting for Montana's cost of living (RPP=90.3), the real purchasing power is $66,600 — a +10.7% difference.

Is Montana expensive to live in?

Montana's cost of living is 9.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Montana is 90.3 (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 Montana: $60,140 x (100 / 90.3) = $66,600. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Fish and Game Wardens in Montana financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Fish and Game Wardens in Montana enjoys 10.7% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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