Game Developer Salary: How Much Can You Make?

If you're a game developer, work can sometimes center around fun and games. These professionals are in high demand, with roles that often come with competitive salaries for people with the right skills. As of 2023, the US gaming industry was worth over $106 billion and is still growing, bringing new positions [1]. Further, the US government’s International Trade Administration estimates more than 190 million Americans play video games, and 78 percent of households have played at least one game in the last year. Mobile gaming revenue is also rising, and the video game industry supported more than 350,000 jobs last year[9]. These figures suggest continued growth in the field, making it an excellent time to consider your options. 

Discover what it takes to become a game developer, the job outlook for the foreseeable future, and factors that might affect your salary in the field, such as location, education, skills, and experience. 

What do game developers do?

Game developers use coding languages to build and develop gaming software. In this role, you may focus on a game’s visual aspects, logic, interface, or artificial intelligence (AI). 

Typical responsibilities of a game developer include:

• Working with designers to interpret their visions

• Building back-end frameworks

• Using programming to build details within a game

• Refining gameplay through testing and troubleshooting

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 shows salary information according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Glassdoor, and two popular job listing websites [2, 3, 4, 5].

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 $208,620 [2]. 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 similar. 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 [6], 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

Certifications

A degree isn’t your only option when it comes to education. Game development is very practical, so other courses and certifications are valuable. Earning a certification can show a potential employer that you have up-to-date industry knowledge and are an expert in your field.

Some common certifications for game developers include:  

• Unity Certified Programmer offered by Unity 

• Unity Certified Artist offered by Unity 

• Autodesk Certified User  provided by Autodesk 

• Adobe Certified Professional from Adobe 

Certifications in coding languages, including Java, C++ and C#, Python, and Lua are particularly relevant. 

Technical skills 

Showcase your technical skills through your education, previous experience, and other game developer qualifications. Technical skills that are essential for this position include:

• General IT skills

• Programming and coding languages

  • Java and JavaScript

  • C# and C++

  • Python

  • Lua

• Scripting

• Data handling

• Networking

• Mathematical ability

• Flair for design

In addition to technical skills, game developers need various workplace skills, including problem-solving, creativity, communication, and time management.

Experience

The more experience you have, the more likely you will earn higher salaries. 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 the average annual salary as follows [3]:

• 0–1 years: $70,872

• 1–3 years: $77,684

• 4–6 years: $81,928 

• 7–9 years: $85,508

• 10–14 years:  $98,059

• 15+ years: $118,337

Location

Where you work can impact your salary. Cities and technology hubs, such as Silicon Valley, are popular places to work because of job prospects and higher salaries, though technology trends have companies and organizations offering more and more remote positions. 

According to BLS data, the states with the highest average annual salaries for software developers, which includes game developers, are as follows [7]:

• California: $173,780

• Washington: $159,990

• Maryland: $ 150,740

• New York: $150,020

• Massachusetts: $146,580

Job outlook

The gaming industry has grown and continues to grow in recent years, with a predicted market revenue of $197 billion by 2030 [8]. The BLS cites a job growth rate of 17 percent between 2023 and 2033 for software developers, which includes game developers [2]. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all industries.

How to become a game developer

With such a promising job outlook and competitive salary offers, if you have a passion for gaming and coding, becoming a game developer may be the right career choice for you. Although you can choose from multiple paths in this field, these steps can help you start a career as a game developer: 

• Get an education: Start by considering a degree in software development or a similar subject. Some jobs may necessitate getting a degree, but it is not always essential. However, even if employers don’t require a college education, having one may help you stand out among potential job candidates. Consider relevant certifications and online certificates as well.  

• Learn coding: Learn the essential coding and programming skills necessary for a role in game development. C++ is often cited as one of the more prominent programming languages used for game engines.

• Gain experience: Gain experience where you can. This experience might come through your degree, personal projects, or paid work. Consider participating in industry competitions, developing games in your spare time, or participating in an internship. 

• Build a portfolio: As you gain experience and skills, capture these in a portfolio to demonstrate to employers what you’re capable of.

• Apply for jobs: To gain some professional experience, you may start by applying for an entry-level game developer role or other developer or coding roles. 

Getting started in game development with Coursera

The need for software and game developers is on the rise. Building and demonstrating skills may help you earn higher salaries in game development. Increase your skills by studying for a certificate through an online course. Michigan State University offers Game Design and Development With Unity 2020 Specialization. This beginner-level 5-course series covers game design and development using Unity 2020.

Alternatively, if you have intermediate knowledge you might prefer C++ Programming for Unreal Game Development Specialization, delivered by the University of Colorado. In this program, you'll learn in-demand skills and gain hands-on experience.