Game Developer Salary Overview
The Game Developer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $87,200. Compensation typically ranges from $51,200 for entry-level positions to $141,000 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Game Developer in the US earns between $51,200 and $141,000 per year, with a median of $87,200.
Game Developer Salary by Experience
Entry-level game developers earn around $56,680, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $117,720 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $53,192 | $26/hr | $43,296 |
| Mid | $87,200 | $42/hr | $65,484 |
| Senior | $112,488 | $54/hr | $80,922 |
| Lead | $133,416 | $64/hr | $93,398 |
Game Developer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Game Developer in each US state.
Pay for game developers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,195 | $6,671 | $65,536 | 24.8% |
| Alaska | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| Arizona | $87,200 | $10,798 | $1,815 | $6,671 | $67,916 | 22.1% |
| Arkansas | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,611 | $6,671 | $66,121 | 24.2% |
| California | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,247 | $6,671 | $65,484 | 24.9% |
| Colorado | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,177 | $6,671 | $66,554 | 23.7% |
| Connecticut | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,046 | $6,671 | $65,685 | 24.7% |
| Delaware | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,524 | $6,671 | $65,207 | 25.2% |
| District of Columbia | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,571 | $6,671 | $65,160 | 25.3% |
| Florida | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| Georgia | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,128 | $6,671 | $65,603 | 24.8% |
| Hawaii | $87,200 | $10,798 | $6,266 | $6,671 | $63,465 | 27.2% |
| Idaho | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,211 | $6,671 | $65,520 | 24.9% |
| Illinois | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,179 | $6,671 | $65,552 | 24.8% |
| Indiana | $87,200 | $10,798 | $2,660 | $6,671 | $67,072 | 23.1% |
| Iowa | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,314 | $6,671 | $66,418 | 23.8% |
| Kansas | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,313 | $6,671 | $65,418 | 25.0% |
| Kentucky | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,362 | $6,671 | $66,370 | 23.9% |
| Louisiana | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,125 | $6,671 | $66,606 | 23.6% |
| Maine | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,697 | $6,671 | $65,034 | 25.4% |
| Maryland | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,968 | $6,671 | $65,763 | 24.6% |
| Massachusetts | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,140 | $6,671 | $65,591 | 24.8% |
| Michigan | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,468 | $6,671 | $66,263 | 24.0% |
| Minnesota | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,479 | $6,671 | $65,252 | 25.2% |
| Mississippi | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,520 | $6,671 | $66,211 | 24.1% |
| Missouri | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,315 | $6,671 | $66,417 | 23.8% |
| Montana | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,037 | $6,671 | $65,694 | 24.7% |
| Nebraska | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,572 | $6,671 | $66,159 | 24.1% |
| Nevada | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| New Hampshire | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| New Jersey | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,428 | $6,671 | $66,303 | 24.0% |
| New Mexico | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,278 | $6,671 | $66,453 | 23.8% |
| New York | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,420 | $6,671 | $65,312 | 25.1% |
| North Carolina | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,350 | $6,671 | $66,381 | 23.9% |
| North Dakota | $87,200 | $10,798 | $1,416 | $6,671 | $68,316 | 21.7% |
| Ohio | $87,200 | $10,798 | $1,679 | $6,671 | $68,053 | 22.0% |
| Oklahoma | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,652 | $6,671 | $66,079 | 24.2% |
| Oregon | $87,200 | $10,798 | $7,105 | $6,671 | $62,626 | 28.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $87,200 | $10,798 | $2,677 | $6,671 | $67,054 | 23.1% |
| Rhode Island | $87,200 | $10,798 | $2,906 | $6,671 | $66,825 | 23.4% |
| South Carolina | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,953 | $6,671 | $65,778 | 24.6% |
| South Dakota | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| Tennessee | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| Texas | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| Utah | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,055 | $6,671 | $65,676 | 24.7% |
| Vermont | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,814 | $6,671 | $65,917 | 24.4% |
| Virginia | $87,200 | $10,798 | $4,498 | $6,671 | $65,233 | 25.2% |
| Washington | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
| West Virginia | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,576 | $6,671 | $66,155 | 24.1% |
| Wisconsin | $87,200 | $10,798 | $3,534 | $6,671 | $66,197 | 24.1% |
| Wyoming | $87,200 | $10,798 | $0 | $6,671 | $69,731 | 20.0% |
Top Cities for Game Developer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for game developers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $95,920 |
| Seattle, WA | $95,920 |
| Austin, TX | $95,920 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $95,920 |
| New York, NY | $95,920 |
Calculate Game Developer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Game Developer
Becoming a game developer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Game Developer Career Outlook
Employment of game developers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Game Developer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for game developers in the US is $87,200, with a typical range from $51,200 to $141,000 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for game developers include CA, WA, TX. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level game developers can expect to earn around $56,680 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a game developer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for game developers is approximately $41.92, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.