Game Developer Salary: How Much Can You Make?

Video game developers are the professionals behind the video games that we all love to play. Interested in joining this fun-focused profession? At a glance, here's what you can expect to earn as a game developer:

• The average game developer's salary can range between $75,693 and $133,080, according to various salary sources [4,1].

• The US video game market size is projected to reach $196.61 billion by 2030, more than double its 2023 valuation of $96.67 billion [5]. This suggests potentially strong demand for game developers in the years to come.

• The precise amount you can expect to earn as a game developer varies based on your work experience, education level, geographic location, and job title, among other things.

Below, you'll learn more about what you can expect to earn as a video game developer, including how common factors like location and work experience may impact what you can expect to earn. Afterward, if you're interested in developing your own game development skills, you might consider enrolling in Michigan State University's Game Design and Development with Unity Specialization.

What’s the average game developer salary?

The average annual salary of a game developer or other software developer varies depending on the source you consult. The table below presents salary information compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Glassdoor, and two other popular job listing websites [1, 2, 3, 4].

Factors that contribute to a game developer’s earnings

The BLS reports that the top 10 percent of earners make an average annual salary of $211,450 [1]. Your ability to secure the highest salary depends on various factors, including education, certifications, skills, experience, and location. 

Education

To get a job as a game developer, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in software development or a similar field. However, it’s only sometimes required. Employers often value the right skill set over education. On the other hand, education is a great way to gain these skills and a broad base of applicable knowledge.  

According to Zippia [3], the average annual salary for game developers based on education level is as follows: 

• Associate: $76,281

• Bachelor’s: $89,013

• Master’s: $97,928

• Doctorate: $107,042

Experience

The more experience you have, the more likely you'll earn a higher salary. Experience can come in a variety of forms, including paid professional experience, internships, and work on personal projects. Many game developers start in roles such as coders or junior game developers before moving into the position of game developer and eventually senior game developer, each of which typically comes with an increase in salary.

Building a portfolio can help demonstrate your skills and experience. Developing your own game is also a great way to showcase your abilities. 

According to Glassdoor, a game developer's level of experience impacts their median total salary as follows [2]:

• 0–1 years: $77,000

• 1–3 years: $86,000

• 4–6 years: $95,000

• 7–9 years: $101,000

• 10–14 years:  $115,000

• 15+ years: $126,000

Location

Geographic profiles show that even in the same job, you may receive a different salary, depending on where in the country you live and work. As a software developer, which includes game developers, the top-paying metropolitan areas are as follows [3]:

Company

You’ll find some well-known companies hiring video game developers, such as SEGA, Sony, and Electronic Arts, as well as smaller companies and public sector departments. According to Zippia, some of the top-paying companies hiring game developers and their salaries include [3]:

• Microsoft: $135,535

• Amazon: $134,524

• Robot Entertainment: $114,785

• Sony Interactive Entertainment: $105,419

• Intel: $103,821

Job outlook

The gaming industry has grown and continues to grow in recent years, with a predicted market revenue of $197 billion by 2030 [5]. The BLS cites a job growth rate of 16 percent between 2024 and 2034 for software developers, which includes game developers [1]. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all industries.

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