How Much Does a Conservation Officer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$74,060
Conservation officers in the U.S. earn a median of $74,060 a year, or $35.60 an hour. Half of conservation officers earn more than $74,060 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $100,980.
Pay percentiles for conservation officers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24.51 | $50,990 |
| 25th | $29.53 | $61,430 |
| 50th (median) | $35.60 | $74,060 |
| 75th | $42.84 | $89,110 |
| 90th | $48.55 | $100,980 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Fish and Game Wardens (SOC 33-3031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for conservation officers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,090 | $48.12 | +35% |
| Iowa | $98,260 | $47.24 | +33% |
| Indiana | $93,990 | $45.19 | +27% |
| Nevada | $91,750 | $44.11 | +24% |
| Maryland | $89,300 | $42.94 | +21% |
| Wisconsin | $89,110 | $42.84 | +20% |
| Michigan | $87,460 | $42.05 | +18% |
| Texas | $85,980 | $41.34 | +16% |
| New York | $80,060 | $38.49 | +8% |
| North Dakota | $79,520 | $38.23 | +7% |
| United States | $74,060 | $35.60 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many conservation officers are there?
BLS counts about 5,770 conservation officers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Fish and Game Wardens”. The most jobs are in Texas (490), New York (390) and California (330).
The mean (average) annual wage is $74,950, higher than the median of $74,060.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,172
- Biweekly
- $2,848
- Weekly
- $1,424
- Daily (8 hours)
- $285
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do conservation officers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for conservation officers is $35.60. The middle 50% earn between $29.53 and $42.84 an hour.
Which state pays conservation officers the most?
California has the highest median wage for conservation officers at $100,090, +35% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for conservation officers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of conservation officers earn less than $50,990 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.