How much does a Game Designer make?

As of October 01, 2024, the average annual pay of Game Designer in the United States is $105,475. While Salary.com is seeing that Game Designer salary in the US can go up to $133,460 or down to $80,221, but most earn between $92,257 and $120,123. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

View Game Designer Salary by Hour, Week, Month, Year

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Game Designer salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. Click the switch button below to see more details about Game Designer hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.

Game Designer Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $120,123 $10,010 $2,310 $58
Average $105,475 $8,790 $2,028 $51
25th Percentile $92,257 $7,688 $1,774 $44
25% $92,257 10% $80,221 90% $133,460 75% $120,123 $105,475 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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View Game Designer Salary by Experience Levels

An entry-level Game Designer with no related experience makes about $105,857. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Game Designer makes around $106,779. After 2-4 years, the Game Designer pay rises to about $110,996. Those senior Game Designer with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $115,325, and those Game Designer having 8 years or more experience are expected to earn about $116,407 on average.

Entry Level 0%
Mid Level 1%
Senior Level 5%
Top Level 9%
Experienced 10%
View as Graph

Best Paying States for Game Designer

The states and districts that pay Game Designer the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $117,394) , California (around $116,339) , New Jersey (around $115,601) , Alaska (around $114,863) , Massachusetts (around $114,757), Washington (around $113,703), Connecticut (around $113,281).

States Salary
District of Columbia $117,394
California $116,339
New Jersey $115,601
Alaska $114,863
Massachusetts $114,757
Washington $113,703
Connecticut $113,281

Highest Paying Cities for Game Designer

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Game Designer profession are San Jose,CA, San Francisco,CA, Oakland,CA, New York,NY, Queens Village,NY, Paramus,NJ, Passaic,NJ, Bergenfield,NJ, Stamford,CT, and Huntington,NY.

Best-Paid Skills and Qualifications for Game Designer

What skills does a Game Designer need?

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.

Mobile Applications: A mobile application, most commonly known as an app, is a kind of application software intended to run on a mobile phone, for example, a smartphone or tablet PC.

3.

Futures: Futures are derivative financial contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset at a predetermined future date and set price.

Analysis 2.41%
Mobile Applications 3.37%
Futures 2.28%
Others 91.94%
View as Table
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain skills can make the compensation of a Game Designer higher. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data provides you the latest highly compensated skills to help you get a higher pay. For example, if you master Debugging, you can get a 3% salary raise. If you are good at Programming, your salary will increase by 1%. If you are expert in Computer Science, your salary will rise by 1%.
Skill Salary Demand
Debugging
$108,640
3%
Programming
$106,530
1%
Computer Science
$106,530
1%
Java
$106,530
1%
Agile Development
$106,530
1%
Git
$106,530
1%
Last Updated on October 01, 2024

View Game Designer Salary Trends

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Game Designer salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. Our research highlights a notable shift in Game Designer compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $102,587 in 2023 to about $103,560 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Game Designer salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Game Designer Over Time

2020
$???
2021
$???
2022
$???
2023
$102,587
2024
$103,560
2025
$102,443

Game Designer Salary by Year

Year Average Annual Salary
2020 View More
2021 View More
2022 View More
2023 $102,587
2024 $103,560
2025 $102,443

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FAQs Regarding Game Designer

1. What is the average salary of a Game Designer?

The average annual salary of Game Designer is $105,475. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Game Designer is $51; the average weekly pay of Game Designer is $2,028; the average monthly pay of Game Designer is $8,790.

2. What does a Game Designer do?

Game Designer is responsible for developing, testing, implementing, and maintaining mobile applications. Troubleshoots system problems and issues and looks for ways to improve the application. Being a Game Designer may require a bachelor's degree. Has knowledge of a variety of concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field (i.e., iOS, Android etc.). Additionally, Game Designer typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. To be a Game Designer typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work.

3. What’s typical Career Path for Game Designer?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Game Designer, the first career path typically starts with an Applications Programmer III position, and then Applications Programmer IV.

The second career path typically starts with a Software Architect III position, and then progresses to Software Architect IV.

The third career path typically progresses to Java Developer, Sr..

Additionally, the fourth career path typically progresses to Commercial Software Engineer III.

4. Where can a Game Designer earn the most?

A Game Designer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Game Designer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Game Designer is $132,372.

5. What is the highest pay for Game Designer?

The highest pay for Game Designer is $133,460.

6. What is the lowest pay for Game Designer?

The lowest pay for Game Designer is $80,221.