Video Game Designer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Video Game Designers Make?
Video Game Designers earn a median annual salary of $98,090 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,840 at the 10th percentile to $192,180 at the 90th percentile — a range of $144,340. The highest-paying state is California at $130,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,840 |
| 25th percentile | $64,990 |
| Median (50th) | $98,090 |
| 75th percentile | $141,860 |
| 90th percentile | $192,180 |
Video Game Designer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $130,240 |
| Washington | $126,960 |
| New York | $121,700 |
| Rhode Island | $111,200 |
| Massachusetts | $107,560 |
| Hawaii | $105,560 |
| Colorado | $103,990 |
| Georgia | $100,530 |
| Utah | $99,300 |
| Vermont | $99,160 |
| Oregon | $98,970 |
| Connecticut | $96,200 |
| Illinois | $94,660 |
| South Dakota | $94,630 |
| District of Columbia | $91,820 |
| Maryland | $89,680 |
| Texas | $89,630 |
| Ohio | $88,170 |
| Montana | $87,660 |
| New Jersey | $87,070 |
| Maine | $86,230 |
| North Carolina | $84,990 |
| Minnesota | $84,950 |
| Oklahoma | $83,640 |
| Nevada | $81,230 |
| Michigan | $81,120 |
| Wisconsin | $80,210 |
| Arizona | $78,330 |
| Missouri | $76,320 |
| Florida | $75,480 |
| Kansas | $73,640 |
| Iowa | $72,820 |
| West Virginia | $72,630 |
| New Hampshire | $72,200 |
| Delaware | $71,490 |
| South Carolina | $70,690 |
| Indiana | $70,550 |
| Alaska | $69,190 |
| Idaho | $67,260 |
| Virginia | $66,240 |
| Kentucky | $66,190 |
| North Dakota | $64,390 |
| Louisiana | $62,700 |
| Nebraska | $62,700 |
| Tennessee | $61,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,030 |
| Mississippi | $60,680 |
| New Mexico | $57,680 |
| Arkansas | $57,020 |
| Wyoming | $51,320 |
| Alabama | $49,770 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Video Game Designers
Video Game Designer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,840 – $64,990 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$98,090 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$141,860 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $192,180+ |
How to Earn More as a Video Game Designer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Video Game Designers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $178,100 — $80,010 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($141,860) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Video Game Designer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Video Game Designerthis career | $98,090 |
| Search Marketing Strategist | $76,950 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $140,910 |
| Computer Programmer | $98,670 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
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SOC: 15-1255.01 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.