GDC Survey: Common wage for US video games professionals was $142,000 in 2025

The common wage for video games trade professionals primarily based within the United States was $142,000 in 2025, in keeping with a brand new report.

Conducted by the GDC Festival of Gaming, the 2025 Game Industry Salary Report surveyed 562 primarily based within the US in July 2025.

It discovered that 60% of respondents stated the typical wage was a “slight increase” from what they earned final 12 months.

Breaking this down, 25% of these surveyed reported a wage of between $125,000 and $199,999, whereas 23% earned between $50,000 and $99,999. 5% stated they’d a wage of underneath $15,000.

The report famous that these working in AAA studios, people in giant firms, and people recruited or referred for his or her job earned the next wage.

For instance, 85% of these working in AAA earned over $100,000, in comparison with 75% in AA and 50% in indie studios.

It additionally discovered that seniority and years within the trade had an affect on pay, although academic background didn’t appear to “significantly impact average salaries – except for those with a master’s degree or PhD.”

When trying on the common wage by position, these working in administration and operations took dwelling the very best quantity at $160,000, whereas visible artists took dwelling $124,000.

You can see the total breakdown of common salaries by position under:

• Visual arts: $124,000
• Audio: $132,000
• Game design: $133,000
• Business and advertising: $134,000
• Game programming: $150,000
• Management and operations: $160,000

80% of US video games trade professionals stated their present wage “meets or exceeds their basic needs.” However, over half felt they had been “somewhat or significantly undercompensated” for his or her job. This sentiment elevated to 69% for contractors, consultants, and part-time employees.

Women and non-binary folks (60%) additionally reported feeling undercompensated for his or her work, as did folks of color (62%). That’s in comparison with 50% of males and 50% of employees who determine “solely as white.”

While 33% stated their employers are “working to close existing pay gaps” for underrepresented employees, one-tenth reported no efforts had been being made.

The survey additionally discovered that folks of color earn 27% much less on common than their white friends, whereas girls earn 24% lower than males. GDC famous that the present gender pay hole within the US is round 15%.

Elsewhere, one-fourth of these surveyed had been affected by layoffs up to now two years, with virtually half having but to discover a job.

When requested concerning the stability of sport growth in comparison with different industries, 80% of respondents described it as a “less secure” occupation.