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Fish and Game Wardens vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Fish and Game Wardens

Median Salary
$73,001
Average (Mean)
$72,639
Employed Nationwide
5,210
VS

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median Salary
$74,180
Average (Mean)
$75,124
Employed Nationwide
670,500
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $1,179 more (1.6%)
Fish and Game Wardens vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Fish and Game WardensFish and Game WardensFish and Game Wardens: $73,001$73,001Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersPolice and Sheriff's Patrol …Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: $74,181$74,181

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $73,001 $74,180
Average (Mean) Salary $72,639 $75,124
Total Employment 5,210 670,500
States with Higher Pay 24 11

Salary by State: Fish and Game Wardens vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Showing 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. Fish and Game Wardens pays more in 24 states; Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 11.

State Fish and Game Wardens Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Difference
Alabama $74,290
$51,270
+$23,020
Arkansas $72,200
$47,670
+$24,530
California $100,090
$118,880
$-18,790
Connecticut $65,400
$82,170
$-16,770
Florida $31,200
$74,470
$-43,270
Georgia $79,440
$58,120
+$21,320
Hawaii $69,250
$83,820
$-14,570
Idaho $73,200
$66,990
+$6,210
Indiana $93,990
$73,370
+$20,620
Iowa $98,260
$74,470
+$23,790
Kansas $61,840
$59,230
+$2,610
Kentucky $54,570
$60,490
$-5,920
Louisiana $59,940
$48,380
+$11,560
Maine $73,260
$67,050
+$6,210
Maryland $89,300
$77,970
+$11,330
Michigan $87,460
$73,730
+$13,730
Missouri $70,030
$59,460
+$10,570
Montana $59,490
$70,050
$-10,560
Nebraska $63,000
$74,620
$-11,620
Nevada $91,750
$78,140
+$13,610
New Jersey $72,920
$92,610
$-19,690
New York $80,060
$92,790
$-12,730
North Carolina $61,430
$59,300
+$2,130
North Dakota $79,520
$74,500
+$5,020
Ohio $75,880
$77,020
$-1,140
Oklahoma $69,120
$59,700
+$9,420
Pennsylvania $50,250
$85,470
$-35,220
South Dakota $68,810
$60,740
+$8,070
Tennessee $75,930
$59,280
+$16,650
Texas $85,980
$75,900
+$10,080
Vermont $74,940
$68,910
+$6,030
Virginia $66,540
$65,870
+$670
West Virginia $62,530
$56,960
+$5,570
Wisconsin $89,110
$78,090
+$11,020
Wyoming $74,060
$66,140
+$7,920

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Fish and Game Wardens vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Fish and Game Wardens or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
On average across all states, a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns more than a Fish and Game Wardens. The national median salary difference is $1,179 (1.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Fish and Game Wardens earn more than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
A Fish and Game Wardens earns a higher median salary than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in 24 out of 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 11 states.
What is the median salary for a Fish and Game Wardens vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
The national median salary for a Fish and Game Wardens is $73,001 per year, compared to $74,180 for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Fish and Game Wardens or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
There are more people employed as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. BLS reports approximately 5,210 Fish and Game Wardens positions and 670,500 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Fish and Game Wardens or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Both Fish and Game Wardens and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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