2025 Game Industry Salary Report

2025 GAME
INDUSTRY
SALARY REPORT
NOVEMBER 2025

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 2
A [CAREER] IN MAKING GAMES
The game industry has been through a hard time, to put it mildly. One-fourth of game
industry professionals have been laid off sometime in the past two years, with many of them
still looking for work. Add studio closures, mergers, and potential automation via generative
AI: It’s enough to make anyone think twice about a viable career in the game industry.
But the industry persists. Studios are recruiting, developers are making games, and mentors are guiding the next
generation. There’s so much passion that goes into games, and it’s reflected in the people getting paid to make
them. But are they being paid enough?
In July 2025, we surveyed 562 game industry professionals based in the United States. We wanted to see how
salaries have grown (or not in some cases), along with how layoffs have impacted the job landscape. This survey
has a 3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
The average salary for US-based game industry professionals in 2025 was around $142,000, which 60% said was
at least a slight increase from their 2024 salary.
The median salary sits around $129,000.
$142,000
The average salary
for US-based game industry professionals in 2025

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 3
2025 Game Industry Salaries
Total Respondents 505
2025 Salary vs. 2024*
Total Respondents 504
Under $15,000
$15,000 – $19,999
$20,000 – $29,999
$30,000 – $49,999
$50,000 – $74,999 $75,000 – $99,999
$100,000 – $124,999 $125,000 – $199,999
$200,000 – $299,999
$300,000 – $499,999 $500,000 – $699,999 $700,000 – $999,999 Above $1-million
0 510 1520 25
11%
Increased significantly
(10% or more)
14%
Increased somewhat
(5% to 9%)
39%
Increased slightly
(1% to 4%)
22%
Remained the same (0%)
4%
Not applicable
6%
Decreased significantly (10% or more)
1%
Decreased somewhat (5% to 9%)
3%
Decreased slightly (1% to 4%)
*currently employed
5%
10%
8% 13%
14%
19% 25%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 4
SALARY DIFFERENCES
According to our survey, salaries tend to be higher
for professionals in AAA studios, individuals working
at larger companies, and those who were recruited or
referred for their current positions instead of applying
through a job posting.
Not surprisingly, seniority and years in industry also
have an impact on salaries, with more years (or a higher
title) usually resulting in higher pay. However, for the
most part, education levels don’t seem to significantly
impact average salaries—except for those with a
master’s degree or PhD, who tend to get paid more.
Benefits
About 85% of game industry professionals employed
by another person or company receive health
insurance. Some of the other more common benefits
received are employer-matching contributions and
stock options. Interestingly, developers working at
companies with fewer than 50 people were less likely
to report having health insurance, but they were
more likely to have stock options.
Some of the least common benefits include
certification/tuition reimbursement and childcare
subsidies.
% Making $100K+ Per Year
0
20
40 60
80
100
Director
ManagerEmployee Contractor
89%
81%
67%
21%
0
20
40 60
80
100
AAA
AAIndie Co-Development
85%
75%
50%66%
By Seniority
Total Respondents 504
By Studio Type
Total Respondents 504

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 5
About 85%
of game industry professionals
employed by another person or company receive health insurance.
Do you feel fairly compensated for your work?*
Total Respondents 505
*currently employed
Significantly overcompensated Somewhat overcompensated Fairly compensated
Somewhat undercompensated
Significantly undercompensated No opinion
40%
38%
5%
15%
3%
1%
Significantly overcompensated 1%
Somewhat overcompensated 5%
Fairly compensated 40%
Somewhat undercompensated 38%
Significantly undercompensated 15%
No opinion 3%
0510 1520 2530 3540

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 6
SALARY [SATISFACTION] ISN’T UNIVERSAL
Around 80% of employed respondents said their current salary meets or exceeds
their basic needs. The highest levels of comfort were reported among workers
in programming, visual arts, and management/operations. Overall, one-third of
respondents feel they are fairly compensated for their work (5% say they are
overcompensated). But not everyone feels as fortunate.
Over half (53%) of respondents say they feel somewhat or significantly
undercompensated at their job—based on their role, experience, and market
conditions. That number increases to 69% for contractors, consultants, and people
working part-time.
Respondents working in business/marketing, visual arts, and management/
operations were more likely to say they feel undercompensated, along with those
holding a supervisor or managerial position.
In addition, 60% of women and non-binary people report feeling undercompensated
(compared to 50% of men), along with 62% of non-white game workers (compared
to 50% of those who identify solely as white).
Which aspects of your compensation need the most improvement?
Total Respondents 484
How well does your compensation meet your living needs?
Total Respondents 505
Base salary Annual bonusWork-life balanceProfessional development
25%
22%
26%
62%
Over 53%
of respondents say they feel
somewhat or significantly
undercompensated at their job
11% 11%
28%
44%
6%
Exceeds my needs Meets my
needs
comfortably Meets my
basic needs Barely meets
my needs Does not
meet my
basic needs
0
10
20
30
40 50

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 7
EXTRA WORK & SIDE [HUSTLES]
For the most part, working in games is a full-time commitment. Three-fourths (74%)
of currently employed respondents work a single full-time position, while one-tenth
are freelancers or contractors and 2% have one or more part-time positions.
For those who work directly on games, one-fifth say they also perform outside
tasks like marketing, sales, business development, and research. In addition, 11%
of employed respondents (including 11% of full-time workers) take on additional
work outside of their primary job.
The most popular side gigs are independent game development, consulting,
and contract work for other studios. One-tenth of respondents with side jobs
are streamers or content creators.
When asked why they take on additional work, over half (57%) said it’s because
they need additional income. This was followed by creative fulfillment (52%),
career development (31%), and project diversity (30%).
11% of employed respondents
take on additional work outside of their primary job.

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 8
CURRENT STATE OF [L AYOFFS]
The game industry can be a tumultuous place—especially for those in the more
creative fields. According to our survey, 32% of folks working in audio, game
design, or visual arts have worked for at least five companies over the past 10 years
(compared to 13% of those in programming, business, or operations). This includes
people working full-time, along with those who’ve done freelance, contract work,
or part-time.
This is also reflected in the layoffs crisis. According to our survey, 28% of people
working in audio, game design, or visual arts experienced a layoff during the past
two years (compared to 22% of those in programming, business, or operations).
Overall, one-fourth (24%) of respondents say they’ve been laid off at some point in
the past two years. Almost half haven’t found another job yet.
When asked about their current job search, 44% of still-unemployed respondents
said they spend 6-10 hours per week looking for work, and 40% noted that they’ve
filled out at least 100 applications so far.
For those who’ve found work after being laid off, 90% said their new jobs are at
least somewhat like their previous ones. But their salaries might not be. While 19%
of respondents did say their new salary is the same as their previous one, 19% said
their pay increased by at least 10%… and one-fourth (25%) said it decreased by that
same amount.
Have you been laid off in the past 24 months?
Total Respondents 562
How many jobs have you applied to so far?
Total Respondents 50
76%
No
14%
Yes (<12 months)
10%
Yes (12-24 months)
0% 5%
10% 15%
20% 25%
30%
35%
40% 0
1-910-19 20-49 50-99 100+
2% 14%
14% 20%
10%
40%

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 9
LAYOFF FEARS IMPACT
INDUSTRY CONFIDENCE
The climate of ongoing layoffs and studio closures
has led some game industry professionals to question
the stability of their own careers—though most still
feel relatively secure. Almost two-thirds of employed
respondents said they feel somewhat or very confident
in their current job security, while one-third of them
said they do not.
Less can be said about confidence in the game industry
as a whole. When asked to rate the stability of game
development in comparison to other careers, 80% said
it was a “less secure” profession.
That’s not stopping them from continuing to do what
they love: 82% of respondents said they are somewhat
or very likely to stay in the game development industry
for the next five years (11% said they were unlikely to
stay and 7% were unsure).
The story is a little less hopeful for those who are
unemployed. A whopping 98% of them rate the game
industry as less secure than others, and 29% of them
said they are unlikely to stay (21% were unsure).
How would you rate the career path security of game development,
in comparison to other careers?
Total Respondents 562
EMPLOYED UNEMPLOYED
80% of total respondents
said game development was a less secure
profession in comparison to other careers.
74%
Less secure
than most
others
15%
As secure as
most others
7%
More secure than most others
95%
Less secure
than most
others
2%
More secure than most others

WAGE [GAP] PERSISTS FOR WOMEN
AND NON-WHITE EMPLOYEES
Pay equity remains a complicated issue: 33% of employed respondents said their
companies are working to close existing pay gaps for women and employees of color,
while one-tenth said no efforts are being made (about 38% of respondents said they
didn’t know). However, 15% said there was "no need" to establish salary parity based
on race or ethnicity, and 17% said their companies didn’t have a gender pay gap
(including 21% of men).
The numbers tell a different story.
According to our respondents, non-white workers on average receive 27% less than
their white peers. Women earn 24% less than their male counterparts. For context,
the current gender pay gap in the United States sits around 15%.
To test this further, we compared the salaries for one specific group that had
statistically similar representation to the core survey: currently employed game
designers with at least six years of experience (75 respondents in total). Within this
subset, two-thirds of men (68%) received at least $125K per year, compared to 38%
of women and non-binary respondents. In addition, 62% of white respondents made
at least $125K per year, compared to 45% of non-white game industry professionals.
GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 10 AVERAGE SALARY
White
$150K
Non-white
$114K
Male
155K
Female
122K
Non-white workers earn
27% less
than their white peers.
Women earn
24% less
than their male peers.

0%5%
10% 15%
20% 25%
30% 35%
40% No official
policy,
but open
employee
discussions No
transparency
or discussion allowed Limited
information shared on
request only Partial
transparency with some salary
information shared Complete
transparency
with published salary ranges Other
33%
17%
18%
17%
12%
3%
PAY [TRANSPARENCY] IN GAMES
Pay transparency is a complex issue in the United States. There are no federal laws regarding the practice, but
several cities and states have passed their own regulations that require employers to post expected salary
ranges for new positions or promotion opportunities. According to our survey, about 29% of respondents work
at companies with some level of open pay transparency.
Informally, people working in the United States have a protected right through the National Labor Relations
Act (NLRA) to discuss their wages—even if their company is based outside the US. However, almost one-fifth
(18%) of respondents said there’s “no transparency or discussion allowed” at their places of work. Those working
in visual arts (29%) were most likely to say that no pay discussions are allowed.
GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 11
How would you describe your company’s approach to pay transparency?
Total Respondents 442

Do you support the unionization
of game industry workers? Are you part of a union?
HALF OF GAME WORKERS SAY
THEY’D LIKE TO JOIN A [UNION]
Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents said they
support the unionization of game industry workers, with
union support higher among younger workers, people
who are currently unemployed, and those making less
than $100K per year. One-tenth (9%) of respondents
say they are currently part of a union.
Over half (56%) said they are interested in joining one.
GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 12
64% of respondents
said they support the unionization of game industry workers
64%
Ye s
23%
Maybe
7%
No
5%
N/A
No, but I'm interested
No, not interested
Yes, a company union (i.e. Activision Quality
Assurance United-CWA)
Yes, an industry-wide union
(i.e. United Videogame Workers-CWA)
N/A
010 20 3040 5060
4%
5% 56%
6% 28%

Game Industry Salaries:
By the Numbers
GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 14
AUDIO BUSINESS & MARKETING
32+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: sound designer, technical sound designer, music composer,
audio programmer, producer, and audio mixer.
41+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: business development, marketing, community manager,
public relations, and investment.
1 In 5 are still looking for new jobs 1 In 2 are still looking for new jobs
COMPANIES WORKED FOR COMPANIES WORKED FOR REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE AGE AGE
SALARY CHANGES YOY SALARY CHANGES YOY DEMOGRAPHICS DEMOGRAPHICS
ANNUAL SALARY
$132K
ANNUAL SALARY
$134K
23% HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
20%
HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
92%
Are likely to stay

in game industry
70%
Say games industry
less secure than others
70%
Are interested in
joining a union
43%
Are insecure about
their job future
7% less than industry average
6% less than industry average
79%
Male / /
/
/ /
/
/ / 49%
Male
62%
Increase
50%
Increase
16%
No change
33%
No change
16%
Decrease
15%
Decrease
21%
Female/NB
51%
Female/NB
44%Under 35
38%35-44
18%45+
23%Under 35
55%35-44
21%45+
62%
11%
16%
5%
5%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
44%
23%
14%
9%
9%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
13%
13%
10%
15%
15%
15%
18%
1
3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2
4%
2%
15%
17%
32%
15%
15%
1 3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 15
GAME DESIGN GAME PROGRAMMING
103+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: localization, monetization specialist, and narrative, systems,
level, combat, technical, UX, and AI designers.
132+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: game programmer, software engineer, QA analyst,
game tester, and tools, AI, and UI programmers.
1 In 2 are still looking for a new job 2/3 are still looking for new jobs
COMPANIES WORKED FOR COMPANIES WORKED FOR REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE AGE AGE
SALARY CHANGES YOY SALARY CHANGES YOY DEMOGRAPHICS DEMOGRAPHICS
ANNUAL SALARY
$133K
ANNUAL SALARY
$150K
28% HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
21%
HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
81%
Are likely to stay

in game industry
11%
Are currently
in a union
45%
Feel insecure
about their job future
72%
Feel secure about
their job future
6% less than industry average
6% more than industry average
64%
Male / /
/ /
/ / 77%
Male
69%
Increase
68%
Increase
17%
No change
22%
No change
9%
Decrease
6%
Decrease
35%
Female/NB
22%
Female
35%Under 35
43%35-44
21%45+
38%Under 35
36%35-44
27%45+
62%
20%
9%
6%
4%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
60%
17%
11%
8%
5%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
8%
10%
10%
12%
21%
19%
21%
1
3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2
2%
3%
6%
11%
25%
32%
21%
1 3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2
/ /

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 16
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS VISUAL ARTS
93+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: game producer, executive, product manager, game director,
studio director, information technology, and outsourcing manager.
54+ RESPONDENTS
Roles include: animator, VFX, art director, and technical, 2D, 3D,
character, lighting, and environment artists.
Half are still looking for a new job 30% are still looking for a new job
COMPANIES WORKED FOR COMPANIES WORKED FOR REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE REMOTE VS. IN OFFICE AGE AGE
SALARY CHANGES YOY SALARY CHANGES YOY DEMOGRAPHICS DEMOGRAPHICS
ANNUAL SALARY
$160K
ANNUAL SALARY
$124K
25% HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
33%
HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
80%
Are likely to stay
In game industry
54%
Support
unionization
46%
Are interested
in joining a union
73%
Are likely to stay
in game industry
47%
Feel fairly
compensated
73%
Feel
Undercompensated
NONE
Feel
overcompensated
13% more than industry average
13% less than industry average
66%
Male / /
/ /
/ / 64%
Male
58%
Increase
64%
Increase
26%
No change
22%
No change
12%
Decrease
12%
Decrease
34%
Female/NB
34%
Female
24%Under 35
33%35-44
44%45+
41%Under 35
34%35-44
24%45+
58%
21%
11%
4%
6%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
73%
13%
2% 9%
4%
Fully remote
Hybrid (1-2 days in-office)
Flexible/Optional
On-site
Hybrid (3-4 days in-office)
2%
4%
9%
18%
23%
25%
20%
1 3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2
5%
13%
15%
10%
15%
18%
25%
1
3 7-910
or more
5-6
4 2
/ /
/
/
/

GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 17
GAME INDUSTRY TOTALS
AVERAGE SALARY
$142K
64%
Increase
53%
Feel
undercompensated
82%
Likely to stay in
games industry
80%
Say games industry is less
secure than others
64%
Support unionization
63%
Are interested in
supporting a union
64%
Secure
about jobs
35%
Insecure
About jobs
80%
Say salary meets
their needs
10%
Decrease /
/
24%
HAVE BEEN
LAID OFF
47%
HAVEN’T FOUND
ANOTHER JOB 54%
Only do game development top roles outside game development:
• Marketing/sales
• Research and development
• Business development

AUTHORDATA SUPPORT
Beth Elderkin serves as content marketing manager
for GDC Festival of Gaming, part of Informa Festivals,
helping to tell the stories of the people and ideas
shaping the game industry. She's also the primary
author and researcher for the annual GDC State of
the Game Industry, the GDC Trends Report, and
GDC Insights. Cheryl Ball is a senior research analyst for Omdia, part
of Informa TechTarget, that frequently collaborates
with GDC Festival of Gaming. As part of Omdia's
primary research team, she works on survey creation
and ensuring data quality and integrity through survey
tools and data creation.
Change the game at the 2026 GDC Festival
of Gaming, returning to San Francisco this
March 9-13, 2026. Connect with thousands
of game industry professionals, grow your
career, and help shape the future of games.
GDC 2025 SALARY REPORT | 18
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