Does US Fish and Wildlife Service pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, US Fish and Wildlife Service employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.0 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at US Fish and Wildlife Service. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at US Fish and Wildlife Service?

70% of US Fish and Wildlife Service employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated US Fish and Wildlife Service 4.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at US Fish and Wildlife Service?

Biological Science Technician (17) , Biologist (15) , Fish and Wildlife Biologist (10) , Wildlife Biologist (9) , Biological Technician (5) , Fish Biologist (5) , IT Specialist (4) , Technician (4) , Administrative Assistant (3) , Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) (3) , Contract Specialist (3) , Fisheries Technician (3) , Intern (3) , Land Surveyor (3) , Park Ranger (3)

What are the pros of working at US Fish and Wildlife Service according to real employee reviews?

"not hard work and good benefits" ((in 16 reviews)); "Good Pay and a good entry level position." ((in 13 reviews)); "Knowledgeable and friendly staff." ((in 9 reviews)); "Great coworkers." ((in 8 reviews)); "Culture of respect, training opportunities and support for career advancement, decent salary and work/life balance" ((in 5 reviews))

What are the cons of working at US Fish and Wildlife Service according to real employee reviews?

"Bad managers stay bad managers until they decide to leave, there is no one above looking to push them to be better, HQ promises a lot and delivers very little." ((in 8 reviews)); "The management with US Fish & Wildlife, for the most part, is horrible." ((in 5 reviews)); "office politics is ridiculous and you don’t feel safe coming to talk to anyone about the toxic work conditions." ((in 4 reviews)); "New restructuring has changed the culture and security" ((in 4 reviews)); "It takes many years to work up to a decent salary." ((in 3 reviews))

What are the top reviewed US Fish and Wildlife Service locations?

Atlanta , Falls Church , Portland , Hadley , Washington , Anchorage , Honolulu , Sacramento , Lodi , Denver , Arlington , Albuquerque , Bloomington , Marion , Buffalo , Ventura , Las Vegas , Vancouver , Lakewood , Elizabeth , Boise , Salt Lake City , Rock Island , Carterville , Cape Charles , Virginia Beach , Dulles , Columbia , Neosho , Cortland

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

US Fish and Wildlife Service

US Fish and Wildlife Service reviews

Great people, great work, but lacks promotional opportunities. - Biological Science Technician US Fish and Wildlife Service Employee Review

4.0

Feb 7, 2024

Biological science technician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I had a great experience at the refuge I worked at. My manager was understanding, trusting, and did their best to provide as much professional development as possible.

Cons

In general, my negatives are geared more towards the department and the governments lack of opportunity to promote. As a seasonal biological science technician, there was no room for promotions in place. This becomes problematic when you constantly have to compete with veterans preference regardless of experience and degree in lower level positions. In general, the service needs to move towards career seasonal work so people can promote inside vs having to leave the agency and come back.

Explore other reviews about US Fish and Wildlife Service

5.0

Nov 18, 2025

Wildlife biologist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Admirable agency mission; many employees truly care about the resources, animals, ecosystems, etc. Good professional growth opportunities.

Cons

National wildlife refuge managers have too much unilateral power; there aren't enough checks and balances heading up the chain--and there's some lingering good 'ol boy-ism--so one bad manager can reverse years of community and conservation work and throw an entire refuge down the tubes.

3.0

Jan 22, 2026

Fish biologist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great if you're invested in the mission to conserve and restore ecosystems and wildlife populations; good benefits and work-life balance

Cons

Congressional meddling and changing priorities for initiatives at the regional level makes it extremely difficult to actually move the needle for species recovery. Now, with staff and budget cuts and changes in policies under the current administration, USFWS and the ESA are being de-fanged, defunded and deregulated to the benefit of private corporations and extractive industries (coal, oil & gas, mining). Internal morale has plummeted since Feb 2025.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All

Jobs at US Fish and Wildlife Service

Biological Science Technician (Fish)

Biological Science Technician (Fish) (Seasonal)

Biological Science Technician (Fish) (Seasonal)

Biological Science Technician (Fish) (Seasonal)

Natural Resource Specialist

US Fish and Wildlife Service reviews FAQs

US Fish and Wildlife Service reviews US Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Science Technician reviews US Fish and Wildlife Service review

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Great people, great work, but lacks promotional opportunities. - Biological Science Technician US Fish and Wildlife Service Employee Review

Explore other reviews about US Fish and Wildlife Service

Jobs at US Fish and Wildlife Service

US Fish and Wildlife Service reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

US Fish and Wildlife Service reviews FAQs

Jobs at US Fish and Wildlife Service