8 Best Wildlife Careers (Working in Fish and Game)

There are many career opportunities available for working in Fish and Wildlife.

Each of the positions has one thing in common:

Protecting the wildlife of the area and the habitats that the wildlife relies on to live.

There are several popular areas of careers in Fish and Game.

Internship and Graduate Programs

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS.gov), both an internship and a graduate program are open to the public as part of their “Pathways Program”.

The Internship Program is for Current Students.

It provides students in high schools, colleges, trade schools, and other qualifying educational institutions with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while completing their education.

The Recent Graduate Program is intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who, within the previous two years, graduated from qualifying educational institutions with an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from qualifying educational institutions.

Careers Working in Fish, Game, and Wildlife

1. Biologist

The Department of Fish and Wildlife employs many classes of biologists, including botany, wildlife, marine/fisheries, and general biologists.

Botany and Wildlife biologists perform many tasks related to field activities and wildlife management, including conducting environmental protection studies and wildlife research.

Wildlife biologists will tag or band birds and other wildlife to study their habits.

Marine/fishery biologists perform biological work that is connected with the management of fisheries, and they also conduct water quality tests.

They also capture and tag different types of fish to study and analyze.

To qualify for these positions, a person must have a college degree in botany, wildlife management, zoology, fishery management, marine biology, or some other related field.

2. Environmental Scientist

An environmental scientist is responsible for gathering information on different environmental issues.

They also perform environmental research analysis, investigations, and surveys, and prepare reports.

In order to qualify for these positions, a person must have a college degree in physical science, environmental science, physical science, or a related field.

3. Wildlife Interpreter

Wildlife interpreters conduct work that involves planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, and administering interpretive programs for the Department’s ecological reserves and wildlife areas.

An interpreter will oversee public activities and serve as a contact for community outreach programs.

In addition, they will help develop brochures and maps and conduct demonstrations and tours.

In order to qualify for these positions, a person must have a degree in zoology, wildlife management, botany, fisheries management, or other related fields.

This must include at least 15 credits of coursework in natural resource communications, natural resource interpretation, or other subjects that are similar.

4. Wildlife Technician

Wildlife technicians work at temporary or fixed installations, such as a fish hatchery or out in nature.

These individuals are involved with releasing game birds, hatching and raising fish, and cleaning animal pens and ponds.

In addition, they will remove barriers from rivers and streams and install and maintain fish ladders, screens, and traps.

Technicians also help other departments in Fish and Game by collecting data on fish, wildlife, and plants.

To qualify for a wildlife technician position, a person must have at least half a year of experience working in a forestry or wildlife park.

A person with a year of experience in the construction or mechanical fields will also be considered for these positions.

5. Conservation Officer

Conservation officers protect natural resources.

They are trained, licensed law enforcement officers who enforce environmental protection laws and regulations.

The nature of their job requires that they spend most or all of their time working outdoors.

Conservation officers can conduct surveillance, investigate complaints, conduct safety training, and provide public education to visitors who come to various sites.

They help to manage and protect the natural resources of conservation.

Conservation officers work in various outdoor settings, including at nature preserves or in state parks.

They patrol wetlands, beaches, rivers, and other areas.

People who want to become conservation officers usually need to have a bachelor’s degree.

Most students who want to become conservation officers earn their degree in wildlife sciences, environmental science, crop science, natural resources, or biology.

The average salary for conservation officers, as of May 1, 2025, is $51,324.

The average salary can go up to $75,506 or higher, depending on where conservation officers work and their education and experience.

6. Habitat Specialist

Habitat specialists create or maintain artificial environments that closely resemble the natural environment of animals.

Although many habitat specialists work in zoos, they also work in animal parks, aquariums, tourist exhibits, or in other areas where animals are the primary focus.

Some habitat specialists work on private lands to promote diversity.

They may perform duties such as conserving, maintaining, and restoring ecosystems.

The May 1, 2025, average salary range for habitat specialists in the U.S. is between $51,534 to $77,362.

7. Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental policy analysts study, interpret, and analyze environmental policies and regulations.

They help organizations and government officials understand and comply with environmental regulations.

One other important responsibility that they have is to assess the impact of various policies.

They also identify policy solutions.

Environmental policy analysts stay up to date on scientific developments and environmental legislation.

The May 1, 2025, average salary for environmental policy analysts is $84,815.

8. Park Ranger

Park rangers work at various sites, including state and national parks, at campsites, and at places where they protect natural resources, historical and archaeological treasures.

They enforce laws and regulations that keep visitors safe, such as those related to preventing fires or other devastating events.

The U.S. Department of the Interior explains the responsibilities of park rangers by level.

A few of these duties include having entry-level park rangers perform patrols and answer visitors’ questions, while mid-level park rangers issue and manage permits, and develop and implement safety plans and visitor plans.

Senior-level park rangers supervise lower-level park rangers.

They also oversee all operations of one or more parks or refuge locations.

The salary for park rangers varies according to where they work.

The average salary for park rangers is between $35,827 and $39,646.

Some states pay more for park rangers.

For example, the average salary for park rangers in South Carolina is $45,028.

The average salary for park rangers in Utah is $41,299.

There are several recommended online programs for park rangers listed here, which can get you a Wildlife Forestry and Conservation career diploma.

Administrative Positions

The Department of Fish and Wildlife employs many people who are specialists in the administrative field, including budgets, public relations, accounting, and clerical positions.

There are often vacancies in these positions throughout each state.

The qualifications for an administrative position will vary by specialty.

Most often, a person applying for one of these positions will need to have at least a two-year degree, additional job-specific training, as well as experience working in the field.

Seasonal Employees

The Department of Fish and Wildlife also sometimes hires seasonal employees to work with its permanent staff.

This offers a great way to get experience and learn more about the DFG.

Salary Information by State

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

Washington tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $106,440.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

5 Tips for Looking for a Job in Wildlife Careers

1. Get the Proper Education

Working in wildlife careers often requires earning a bachelor’s degree.

Some high-level wildlife career jobs require having a Master’s degree in a related field.

Many people earn a degree in ecology, biology, conservation science, natural resources, or environmental science.

The best degree to earn may depend on the specific wildlife career.

2. Get in Shape

Working in a wildlife career often requires being in rugged areas or in areas where workers spend a lot of time walking or climbing in some areas.

They need to have the ability to bend, twist, turn, lift, and perform other physical tasks.

3. Learn the Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of people who work in wildlife careers often vary.

Some responsibilities include doing patrols and educating visitors, while others require rescuing animals or people and acting as a law enforcement official.

4. Get Training

Getting the training that is needed to work in a wildlife career is often a part of the onboarding for the specific job.

Training for wildlife careers involves more than physical training.

It also includes learning about the geographical area, its history, and how to implement and practice conservation methods.

5. Develop Soft Skills

Working in wildlife careers requires having excellent soft skills.

Communication skills, being detail-oriented, having customer service skills, and interpersonal skills are all important to working in wildlife careers.

It is also important to have organizational and teamwork skills.

People who work in supervisory positions need to have good writing skills and good decision-making skills.

About Michael Morales Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.