GDC Salary Report 2025: How Much Do US Game Developers Earn?
- Sagar Mankar
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
The average salary for games industry professionals in the United States reached $142,000 in 2025, according to the latest GDC Festival of Gaming Salary Report.
The survey, conducted in July 2025 with 505 respondents, shows that most workers saw a modest increase compared to last year.
Around 60% described their pay rise as only a “slight increase,” but it still reflects steady growth in the sector.
Only 1% of professionals reported earning over $1 million, while 3% made between $500,000 and $999,999. The largest group, about 25%, earned between $125,000 and $199,999, with 23% falling in the $50,000 to $99,999 range. A smaller portion, around 5%, reported making under $15,000.
As per the report, AAA studios continue to dominate when it comes to higher salaries. About 85% of AAA employees earn over $100,000, compared to 75% in AA studios and just 50% in indie teams.
Interestingly, seniority and years of experience matter more than education, with advanced degrees like a master’s or PhD being the only exception that noticeably boosts pay.
Breaking down salaries by role, management and operations lead the pack with an average of $160,000. Game programmers follow at $150,000, while audio specialists and designers hover around $132,000 to $133,000. Visual artists, often the backbone of a game’s look and feel, average $124,000.
Business and marketing professionals sit at $134,000, showing that non‑development roles also command strong paychecks.
Still, money doesn’t always equal satisfaction. While 80% of respondents said their salary meets or exceeds basic needs, more than half admitted they feel undercompensated. That number jumps to 69% for contractors, consultants, and part‑time workers.
Women, non‑binary professionals, and people of color also reported higher levels of dissatisfaction, with pay gaps persisting across demographics. According to the report, women earn 24% less than men, and people of color earn 27% less than white peers. The US gender pay gap overall sits at 15%.
The survey also revealed that one‑fourth of professionals faced layoffs in the past two years, with nearly half still unemployed. When asked about job stability, 80% described game development as “less secure” compared to other industries.