Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

I have been lookin at this stuff and am interested in a possible career in this field.

Any one know what a full qualified person would start out at as a fish/game warden in pennsylvania(wild life officer is the cool term for them i think)

Edited by - drache on 03/25/2002 23:22:49

Edited by - LBR on 03/26/2002 16:47:14

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

my first year off college i was studying to be a warden but after further consideration i decided not to do it..one reason was the pay was exceptionally low only around 13.50 per hour..and another reason i would have no time to hunt....

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Yeah, they make up stories, fairy tales about big bucks and why you should pay more to hunt them!
<font color=black><img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>NYUK, NYUK, NYUK</font id=black>

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Game wardens are probably the lowest paid law enforcement officers in any state, not county small community college police. Unfortunately that's the way the system works.

I know that in CA, the Wardens make 34% less than the CA Highway Patrol does! Thay make about $35,000 per year at around top step according to my warden buddy. That's why I never went with them. Yet, I'd love that job.

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Best bet would be to contact the Pa Game and Fish Department and talk to someone in law enforcement. They should have a pay scale that they can get the starting rates from and also give you what the top end would be.

Dream to Hunt...Hunt to Dream

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

I think I remember that when I was on the PA game site that they talked about a career as a game warden and they listed the pay scale.

brian

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

plus i would have had to go to college for 5 years just to qualify and its very competitive.....

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

According to their site at www.pgc.state.pa.us it states the current salary is $33716.00 plus benefits.

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Last time I heard, the positions for Game Commissioners were filled, and it will probablly be years before another Game Commissioner leaves/dies. Then, from what I heard, there is a waiting list. If you applied now, you would probablly have a thirty year wait. I am not sure how true this is, but that is what I have heard. Game Commissioners love their jobs so they don't quit. They work till they die.

Good Luck This Season: Buck Magnet
&quot;Hunting is not a sport, it is a passion, it is a WAY OF LIFE&quot;

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Yeah they make enemies.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Unfortunatly a few bad ones give them all<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>. Its a job of low pay and little respect.

What people have to remember is they are there to do a job for us and we should do our job in helping them.

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Pennsylvania has two seperate agencies - the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission, and the Pa. Game Commission. Both employ Conservation Officers. Those that work for Fish & Boat are called Waterways Conservation Officers. Those that work for Game are called Wildlife Conservation Officers. Officers from both agencies are empowered by legislature to enforce each other's laws, but have the primary responsibility to enforce the laws and regulations peritinent to their agency. They also have police powers, and enforce the Pennsylvania Crimes Code - incidental to their regular duties. Waterways Conservation Officers undergo 52 weeks of training - which includes 24 weeks of Municipal Police Officer Training. They deal with all fish law enforcement, boat law enforcement, reptiles,
amphibians, and water pollution. They are initially hired as seasonal officers ( having to endure a layoff over the holidays and hunting season), but go into full 12 month employment as such positions open up (rather quickly in the last several years). Wildlife Conservation Officers deal with enforcement of laws pertaining to the fuzzy, furry or feathered critters. They undergo a 51 week training program prior to permanent fulltime assignment. Both jobs are civil service positions and carry the full range of benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance and state retirement. The Fish and Boat officers are eligible to retire (2.5% of final average salary x no. of years worked) at age 50 without state retirement penalties. the Game troops must work until age 62 or 35 years to retire without penalties. Both start at Trainee pay of $13.10 per hour ($27,332 annual)until graduation from the training program when they are upgraded & earn at least $16.73 hr.($34,905). Once assigned into the field, they receive rent payment for maintaining an office in the home and token subsistence allowance for meal expenses. All equipment and uniform clothing is provided (everthing but underwear). They receive annual pay increases as determined by union contracts. The highest pay step as a field officer currently pays $53,036 - achieved upon 20 years of service. Plus, they are paid overtime for work above 8 and forty. Civil Service exams are given for the 2 positions every 3 or 4 years on average. Game just had a class graduate about 2 weeks ago. Fish & Boat currently has a class in training which will graduate in September. State Civil Service Commission handles all applications and testing. Competitioon is always pretty keen. College degree is not required - but helps. Under Pa's laws/rules, veterans get an extra 10 points added to their civil service score - and when it comes time to hire - the agencies can't pass over a vet to hire a non-vet. If you're not a vet - it's really tuff to get onboard because with the vets extra points - they almost always outscore non-vets or can't be reached beacuse of the no-passover rule. They're both very interesting & demanding jobs which require true commitment to the profession. The quickest way to get onboard is to serve your country, get the veteran's preference points, have some secondary education, be at least 21 years of age with a clean background, be a resident of Penna., have a valid driver license and score high enough on the written exams and oral interviews. Then, be prepared to make the sacrafices required to serve the public and protect the resource from misuse and abuse. Both agencies also have Deputy programs which are good stepping stones to learn about the jobs and gain law enforcement experience.

penalties

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

They dont make enough.

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RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Hey Mudfish where are you? Are you lost? Hello....out there

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

i have a class that is to help u find out what u wanna be and the pay and skooling u need ect ect ect...i studied the game warden and a wildlife biologist because both seem like what i want to do and would be fairly happy...the average pay for a game warden was around 40k but thats with the highest degree...i think im gunna have to look for a realy job that is barely enough to support a small family...thats pathetic...y the pay is so low i dont kno but would love too...the wildlife biologists only made like 54k avg!! and there are only 135 game commissioners in the state i think is what i heard...and ur chances of getting in are slim...maybe sum1where out west would be better paying and more jobs....i think if i consider this i mite consider being a fishing or hunting guide!!

mauser06

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

This would be one awesome job, I could put up with lower $ to do something you really enjoy doing. Only problem is if you love to hunt as much as we all do...You might as well give it up cause guess when your &quot;busy&quot; time of the year is? HUNTIN SEASON!!!!! Thats why I could never become a warden..like huntin too much!

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Mauser06, you ought to take a class in Econ 101. $54K/year is a dam good livin in most or all of PA bud!!! I know I am a college graduate and bee workin for 17 years and i would like to make that a year!

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

54k with a gov pension and all the perks aint that bad!

Fozzdick, thanks for the great post. (100% accurate )

The tough part for a young guy contemplating this as a career is that many apply and few are chosen for this work. The good thing for the rest of us is that when there is stiff competition for a position, we tend to get the better than average guy to fill a position. Until, of course, politics and quotas enter the picture!

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RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

If MD was hiring I'd say try here. Starting is over 30k and officer positions will top out over 60k.

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

Sorry Mudfish didn;t mean to put the body slam on you, didnt see that it was in South post, never read South post... I said to myself he thinks he is in off season, which is where I mostly reside...

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

yes i kno 54k aint bad...i kno its pretty good..but i dont really want to stay in pa....these stats were national averages....im sure here 50k tops would be bout it for a wildlife biologist...im still considering that job...im gunna look more into it when the time comes...but i duno i am just a kid...i jsut dont think staying here is me.... i wanna go north to alaska....

mauser06

RE: Any one know what Pa fish/game wardens make?
 

thats funny mauser06, You want to get out and I want to get in. I can't wait to get to PA. It beats NJ by far.

Brian