VR Developer Salary: How Different Factors Impact Your Earnings

Virtual reality (VR) development is the process of merging human creativity with technology to create captivating 3D worlds. While this advanced technology started in the gaming industry, it’s quickly expanding into other sectors like health care, education, manufacturing, retail, and corporate training. According to Statista, VR is growing rapidly, and its global market value is expected to reach over $22 billion by 2025, up from less than $12 billion in 2022 [1].

The growth of VR has led to an increased demand for developers as employers need skilled professionals who can help shape the future of interactive technology. If you’re looking for a lucrative occupation with plenty of room for growth, VR development might be a good option. 

Learn more about the skill set, earning potential, and job outlook of VR developers in the US, and consider how different factors, such as location or the years of experience you have, may impact your annual earnings.

What is a VR developer?

A VR developer uses computer programming to produce interactive digital worlds for use in various sectors, whether gaming, health care, or another field. Typically, developers use more than just code to design their work, as the product is a culmination of unique skills. Proficiency in video editing, 3D modeling, device specifications, VR tools, software engineering, and sound design are all skills that can help you succeed in VR development. Knowledge of digital trends may also be informative.

Some people are familiar with VR development when applied to video games, but as the innovative technology advances, it’s being used in more and more industries. The health care industry is one of the latest sectors to use VR development to its advantage. Future medical professionals can use VR as an interactive tool to assist their training andimprove performance. As VR progresses and overcomes different limitations, it may even help diagnose and treat patients.

How much does a VR developer make? 

The average VR developer salary in the US ranges from $92,000 to $110,000, according to multiple job posting sites. Depending on your specific role and other factors, receiving a salary higher or lower than the average range is possible. Explore additional salary data from Salary.com, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter [2, 3, 4]:

*All salary data current as of December 2024

A VR developer’s salary may depend on a combination of different components. For example, a developer with a master’s degree and many years of experience may earn more than an entry-level developer with a bachelor’s degree. It’s possible that a professional with a specialized skill set could have a higher salary than someone with more experience. 

Factors that affect a VR developer salary

Factors including education, experience, industry, and location can all affect your salary as a VR developer. Similar to other careers, being new to a career field with very little professional experience may result in lower pay, while having years of experience and high-level skills can be more lucrative. The VR industry is growing quickly, and those interested in the field may have plenty of opportunities and time for career advancement. 

Education 

To work in VR, you typically need a bachelor’s degree with a major in computer science or physics. Internships and lab experiences may also be valuable to gain experience and learn more about virtual reality. 

Web developers and software developers have similar educational trajectories as virtual reality developers. According to data from Zippia, 72 percent of software developers have a bachelor’s degree while 20 percent hold a master’s degree. Just 5 percent have an associate degree.

As a software developer, you can earn an average salary of $86,035 with a bachelor’s degree and $92,617 with a master’s degree [5]. 

Experience 

In VR, having more experience typically leads to a higher salary. Discover the average base pay range in VR development based on years worked in the field, according to Glassdoor [3]:

• 0–1 years of experience: $65,473

• 1–3 years: $72,411

• 4–6 years: $80,819

• 7–9 years: $86,993

• 10–14 years: $103,834

• 15+ years: $127,266

Industry 

Salaries may vary across industries when you work in VR development. Explore the base pay range within different professional sectors, according to data from Glassdoor [3]: 

• Arts, entertainment, and recreation: $87,914

• Education: $86,186

• Government and public administration: $95,531

• Health care: $110,130

• Information technology: $101,522

• Manufacturing: $97,150

• Real estate: $109,276

• Human resources and staffing: $102,350

Location 

Generally, VR developers living in big cities or known tech hubs are likely to earn more than other areas of the US. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest average salaries for VR developers in the US include [4]:

• Nome, AK: $136,336

• Cupertino, CA: $135,594

• Berkeley, CA: $134,572

• Sitka, AK: $132,400

• Mountain View, CA: $129,652

• San Francisco, CA: $129,328

• Palo Alto, CA: $129,195

• Santa Clara, CA: $129,076

• Sunnyvale, CA: $128,990

• Livermore, CA: $128,917

Job outlook for VR development

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers, a career similar to virtual reality developers, are expected to see an employment increase of 18 percent between 2023 and 2033 [6]. 

This positive growth rate is faster than the average incline of other occupations. The expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation applications are the main reasons behind the growing field. 

Increase your VR developer salary potential with Coursera

As a VR developer, your salary typically depends on factors like experience, educational background, what industry you’re interested in, and where you’re located. You can make choices that align with your career goals and desires to help improve your annual earnings. 

Expand your knowledge of 3D modeling while learning more about 3D graphics, VR graphics, VR audio, and content creation with 3D Models for Virtual Reality on Coursera, offered by the University of London. This course can potentially give prospective and current professionals in the field an advantage in the industry. More experience and improving and expanding your skill set is a great way to boost your earnings as a VR developer.

For newcomers, Intro to AR/VR/MR/XR: Technologies, Applications, and Issues on Coursera is a comprehensive yet beginner-friendly overview of the industry. This resource allows you to learn from an industry expert and gain valuable insight into the up-and-coming field.