Fish and Game Wardens salary in North Carolina
Fish and Game Wardens in North Carolina earn a median of $61,430 a year ($29.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,390 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,060. North Carolina ranks 30th of 35 states for fish and game wardens pay. There are 0.04 fish and game wardens per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fish and game wardens in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,240 | $25.11 |
| 25th percentile | $52,240 | $25.11 |
| Median | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| 75th percentile | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| Average (mean) | $62,280 | $29.94 |
Half of fish and game wardens earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,362.69 |
| Weekly | $1,181.35 |
| Hourly | $29.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fish and Game Wardens salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $63,060 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for fish and game wardens
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $100,090 |
| Iowa | $98,260 |
| Indiana | $93,990 |
| Nevada | $91,750 |
| Maryland | $89,300 |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 |
| Michigan | $87,460 |
| Texas | $85,980 |
| New York | $80,060 |
| North Dakota | $79,520 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| Bailiff | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fish and game wardens make in North Carolina?
The median salary for fish and game wardens in North Carolina is $61,430 a year, or $29.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fish and game wardens make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of fish and game wardens in North Carolina earn at least $72,390 a year. The top 25% earn $72,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for fish and game wardens in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,240 a year, and a quarter of fish and game wardens earn $52,240 or less.
How many fish and game wardens work in North Carolina?
About 190 fish and game wardens are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.