A survey by GDC revealed that the average salary for professionals in the U.S. gaming industry reached $142,000 in 2025
A newly released report highlights that the median income for video game industry workers in the U.S. was $142,000 in 2025. This finding is drawn from the 2025 Game Industry Salary Report, prepared by the GDC Festival of Gaming, which gathered insights from 562 industry professionals in July 2025.
According to the report, 60% recognized this salary figure as a minor increase from the previous year's earnings. Specifically, 25% of participants reported making between $125,000 and $199,999, whereas 23% earned between $50,000 and $99,999. Additionally, 5% stated their earnings were below $15,000.
Higher pay was particularly noted among those in AAA studios, large companies, and individuals brought in via recruitment or referrals. Within AAA companies, a significant 85% earned over $100,000, compared to 75% in AA studios and 50% in smaller indie studios.
Seniority and industry experience were linked to better salaries, though academic credentials did not heavily influence income, except in cases of higher degrees like master's or PhDs.
Roles varied significantly in terms of average earnings, with management and operations personnel making $160,000, the highest among the categories. Visual artists typically earned $124,000.
Here's a detailed look at average salaries by role:
- Visual arts: $124,000
- Audio: $132,000
- Game design: $133,000
- Business and marketing: $134,000
- Game programming: $150,000
- Management and operations: $160,000
Although 80% of professionals felt their compensation was adequate for their basic needs, over half described themselves as "somewhat or significantly undercompensated." This perception of being underpaid rose to 69% among contractors, consultants, and part-time staff.
Disparities were also reported among gender and ethnic groups, with 60% of women and non-binary individuals, and 62% of people of color personally feeling undervalued, compared to 50% of white male counterparts.
Regarding employer actions, 33% of respondents observed efforts to address pay gaps for marginalized groups, whereas 10% saw no such measures being taken.
The survey further uncovered stark income discrepancies, indicating people of color earn 27% less than white colleagues, and women earn 24% less than men. The current gender pay gap across the U.S. stands at approximately 15%, as noted by GDC.
Layoffs have impacted one in four individuals over the past two years, with nearly half still seeking new employment. When evaluating job security, 80% labeled the gaming sector as less stable compared to other fields.