Have you ever wondered what game developers make? Well, that's often a taboo subject. But today, we're going to check out a survey on game development salaries. This survey covers the entire suite of game development professions across various countries. The survey was conducted by adlv, an excellent website that provides useful information on game development. Let's dive into the salary stats in game development!
The survey collected data from over a thousand respondents who are actively engaged in various facets of game development. The respondents included readers of 80th Level and industry representatives from the 80 Level research panel. The data was compared to other sources as well. All salaries mentioned in this report are in US Dollars, unless stated otherwise. Now, let's take a closer look at the findings.
Lower Brackets: Almost 40% of game developers earn less than $40,000 annually. However, this stat can be misleading as it takes into account global wages, where the cost of living is lower in many places. The survey also considers livability based on where you live in the world.
Mid-Range Bracket: Approximately one-third of developers earn between $40,000 and $80,000. About 15% earn between $80,000 and $150,000, while 11% earn over $150,000 annually. The salary ranges vary greatly due to regional differences in the cost of living. Let's break down the salaries by region:
United Kingdom: The majority of game developers in the UK have a salary between $40,000 and $60,000.
Canada: The numbers for Canada seem a bit unusual. 40% earn between $100,000 and $150,000, while 19% earn over $150,000. However, the average salary is $40,000, which doesn't quite align with the breakdown. It's unclear if this category includes entry-level positions.
Germany: Salaries for game developers in Germany range from $30,000 to $80,000.
Spain: 38% of respondents earn between $20,000 and $30,000, while 22% earn between $40,000 and $50,000.
India: In India, 54% of game developers earn under $11,000 a year. The lower cost of living in India explains the lower salaries. 15% earn between $10,000 and $20,000.
Sweden: 20% earn between $50,000 and $60,000, with the majority falling between $30,000 and $80,000.
Gender Pay Gap: In 2021 to 2022, male professionals in the field saw a significant raise, making an average of about $5,300 a month. However, women in the same job made less, around $4,600.
France: The majority of game developers in France earn between $20,000 and $50,000. The average salary in the French area is $44,000 a year, according to generalized Glassdoor data.
Poland: Salaries in Poland range from $30,000 to $40,000.
Changes in Salaries in 2023: The report shows that salaries in China remained unchanged, while Hong Kong was not included in the data. It's unclear why only Asia was mentioned in this section.
Experience Level Impact: Interns and fresh graduates typically earn less than $10,000 per year. However, including unpaid or low-paid interns in the data skews the numbers and makes it less meaningful. Mid-level professionals usually earn between $10,000 and $50,000, while senior professionals often earn over $150,000.
In the C-level positions, the data is inconsistent and not significant enough to draw meaningful conclusions. Therefore, we will disregard the C-level data in this report.
Artists and Animators: Salaries for these roles vary greatly, ranging from $10,000 to $880,000+. Some can afford food and appliances but struggle to get a car. Others can afford everything except a place of residence, while another group can only buy food and clothing.
Creative Directors: This role has higher salaries, with 38% earning over $150,000. 46% of them can afford everything they want, including a house.
Software Developers: 17.7% earn over $150,000, with an equal distribution across different salary ranges. Some developers can afford everything they want, while others can't afford a house or a car.
Game Designers: This category includes various roles, and the breakdown is not defined clearly. However, a quarter of game developers feel they can afford everything except a car and a house, while another quarter can afford a car but not a house.
Livability Index: The data shows that some respondents find it difficult to define their financial status, indicating complex or fluctuating situations. A small percentage of developers face financial challenges, while others can afford basic expenses but struggle to buy household appliances. The majority fall within the mid-income range.
Regional Distribution: The survey received responses from various countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, India, Sweden, France, Poland, and others. The salary breakdowns differ significantly by country, with 36% of US developers earning over $150,000.
In conclusion, the salary stats in game development provide valuable insights into earnings across different roles and regions. It's important to consider the cost of living when evaluating these salaries. The United States offers better earning potential, but high living costs in certain areas, such as California, should be taken into account. Share your thoughts on these salary stats and the state of game development salaries in the UK. Thank you for reading!