Fish and game wardens
SOC Code: 33-3031
Fish and game wardens carries a 36% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $68,180 and -6.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 7,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 36% AI exposure, Fish and game wardens sits 1 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 56% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Fish and game wardens sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Fish and game wardens has ai exposure of 36%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Fish and game wardens vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Fish and game wardens is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Fish and game wardens (SOC 33-3031) carries an AI exposure score of 36%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 7,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -6.0% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $68,180, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Fish and game wardens. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
- 2. Compile and present evidence for court actions.
- 3. Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
- 4. Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
- 5. Issue warnings or citations and file reports as necessary.
- 6. Serve warrants and make arrests.
- 7. Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
- 8. Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
- 9. Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
- 10. Arrange for disposition of fish or game illegally taken or possessed.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Persuasion
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Biology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Geography
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Fish and game wardens?
Fish and game wardens has an AI exposure score of 36%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Fish and game wardens?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Fish and game wardens is projected to decline by 6.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 7,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Fish and game wardens?
Key skills for Fish and game wardens include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Fish and game wardens earn?
The median annual wage for Fish and game wardens is $68,180, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Fish and game wardens?
The typical entry-level education for Fish and game wardens is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Fish and game wardens?
Fish and game wardens roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).