If you’re a game developer, you might be wondering how much money video game designers make.
The answer to this question can vary widely depending on the designer’s experience, skill level, and the type of game they’re working on. In this article, we’ll explore some of the factors that affect a video game designer’s salary and provide real-life examples of how much they can earn.
Factors Affecting Video Game Designer Salary
There are several factors that can affect a video game designer’s salary, including:
- Experience and skill level: The more experience a designer has, the higher their salary is likely to be. Skill level is also an important factor, as designers who have specialized knowledge in certain areas (such as animation or programming) may command higher salaries than those with more general skills.
- Type of game: Different types of games can pay differently, depending on their complexity and popularity. For example, a designer working on a blockbuster AAA game is likely to earn more than someone working on a mobile game or indie game.
- Company size: Larger companies tend to have more resources to offer their employees, including higher salaries. Smaller companies may not be able to compete with larger salaries, but they may offer other benefits like flexible work hours or the opportunity to work on projects that align more closely with your interests.
- Location: The cost of living in different parts of the world can affect a designer’s salary. For example, designers working in major cities like San Francisco or New York may earn more than those working in smaller towns or rural areas.
Real-Life Examples of Video Game Designer Salaries
Now that we’ve looked at some of the factors that can affect a video game designer’s salary, let’s take a look at some real-life examples to give you an idea of what designers can earn.
- Entry-level salaries: According to Glassdoor, entry-level video game designers in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $60,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on factors like location and experience.
- Mid-career salaries: A mid-career video game designer with 5-9 years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of $85,000 per year in the United States, according to Glassdoor. Again, this can vary depending on factors like location and skill level.
- Senior-level salaries: Senior video game designers with over 10 years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of $120,000 per year in the United States, according to Glassdoor. These designers may also be eligible for bonuses and other forms of compensation.
- Freelance salaries: Freelance video game designers typically charge by the hour or by project. According to Upwork, the average hourly rate for a freelance game designer in the United States is around $50 per hour. However, this can vary widely depending on factors like experience and skill level.
Comparing Video Game Designer Salaries to Other Careers
It’s also worth comparing video game designer salaries to other careers in the tech industry. For example:
- Software engineers: According to Glassdoor, software engineers in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $105,527 per year. However, this can vary depending on factors like experience and skill level.
- Game producers: Game producers in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $92,448 per year, according to Glassdoor. Again, this can vary depending on factors like experience and skill level.
- Artists and animators: Artists and animators working in the tech industry can expect to earn an average salary of $73,065 per year, according to Glassdoor. This can vary depending on factors like experience and skill level.
FAQs
1. How much do entry-level video game designers make?
Entry-level video game designers in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $60,000 per year.
2. How much do mid-career video game designers make?
A mid-career video game designer with 5-9 years of experience in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $85,000 per year.
3. How much do senior-level video game designers make?
Senior video game designers with over 10 years of experience in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $120,000 per year.
4. How much do freelance video game designers make?
Freelance video game designers in the United States typically charge by the hour or by project, with an average hourly rate of around $50 per hour.
5. How do video game designer salaries compare to other careers in tech?
Video game designer salaries can vary widely depending on factors like experience and skill level. However, on average, software engineers and game producers tend to earn more than video game designers.
