Video game design is a highly competitive and rewarding field, with many designers earning six figures for their work. But how much money do video game designers make? In this article, we will explore the average salary of video game designers, as well as some of the factors that can influence how much they are paid.
Average Salary for Video Game Designers
According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a video game designer in the United States is around $78,000 per year. However, this number can vary depending on a variety of factors, including experience level, location, and the type of company they work for.
Experience Level
One of the biggest factors that can influence how much a video game designer earns is their level of experience. Entry-level designers may start out earning around $60,000 per year, while experienced designers with 5+ years of experience can earn upwards of $100,000 per year.
Location
The location where a video game designer works can also have a significant impact on their salary. Designers working in major cities such as San Francisco and New York tend to earn higher salaries than those working in smaller towns or rural areas. For example, a video game designer in San Francisco may earn an average of $120,000 per year, while a designer in a small town may earn around $70,000 per year.
Type of Company
The type of company a video game designer works for can also impact their salary. Large gaming companies such as Electronic Arts and Activision tend to pay their designers more than smaller indie studios or independent contractors. For example, a designer at EA may earn an average of $150,000 per year, while an independent contractor may earn around $80,000 per year.
Case Studies and Personal Experiences
To better understand how much video game designers make, let’s look at some real-life examples.
Jonathan Blow
Jonathan Blow is a well-known indie game developer who created the popular game “Braid.” He started out as a designer at a small studio and later became an independent contractor before founding his own company, thatgamecompany. According to an interview with Polygon, Blow earns around $5 million per year from the sales of “Braid” and other games he has developed.
Clifford Sweeney
Another example is Clifford Sweeney, the founder of Id Software and the creator of the “Doom” series. In an interview with Game Informer, Sweeney said that he earns around $10 million per year from royalties on the sales of his games.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about how much video game designers make:
- What is the average salary for a video game designer?
- The average base salary for a video game designer in the United States is around $78,000 per year.
- How does experience level impact a designer’s salary?
- Experienced designers with 5+ years of experience can earn upwards of $100,000 per year, while entry-level designers may start out earning around $60,000 per year.
- What is the impact of location on a designer’s salary?
- Designers working in major cities tend to earn higher salaries than those working in smaller towns or rural areas.
- How does the type of company a designer works for impact their salary?
- Large gaming companies tend to pay their designers more than smaller indie studios or independent contractors.
- Can you provide some real-life examples of how much video game designers make?
- Jonathan Blow, the creator of “Braid,” earns around $5 million per year from the sales of his games, while Clifford Sweeney, the founder of Id Software and the creator of the “Doom” series, earns around $10 million per year from royalties on the sales of his games.
- Summary
- Video game design is a highly competitive and rewarding field, with many designers earning six figures for their work. The average salary for a video game designer in the United States is around $78,000 per year, but this number can vary depending on a variety of factors, including experience level, location, and the type of company they work for.
Summary
Video game design is a highly competitive and rewarding field, with many designers earning six figures for their work. The average salary for a video game designer in the United States is around $78,000 per year, but this number can vary depending on a variety of factors, including experience level, location, and the type of company they work for. With the right skills and experience, video game designers have the potential to earn a very comfortable living.
