GDC Survey: Average salary for US games professionals was $142,000 in 2025

The average salary for games industry professionals based in the United States was $142,000 in 2025, according to a new report.

Conducted by the GDC Festival of Gaming, the 2025 Game Industry Salary Report surveyed 562 based in the US in July 2025.

It found that 60% of respondents said the average salary was a “slight increase” from what they earned last year.

Breaking this down, 25% of those surveyed reported a salary of between $125,000 and $199,999, while 23% earned between $50,000 and $99,999. 5% said they had a salary of under $15,000.

The report noted that those working in AAA studios, individuals in large companies, and those recruited or referred for their job earned a higher salary.

For example, 85% of those working in AAA earned over $100,000, compared to 75% in AA and 50% in indie studios.

It also found that seniority and years in the industry had an impact on pay, though educational background did not seem to “significantly impact average salaries – except for those with a master’s degree or PhD.”

When looking at the average salary by role, those working in management and operations took home the highest amount at $160,000, while visual artists took home $124,000.

You can see the full breakdown of average salaries by role below:

• 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

80% of US games industry professionals said their current salary “meets or exceeds their basic needs.” However, over half felt they were “somewhat or significantly undercompensated” for their job. This sentiment increased to 69% for contractors, consultants, and part-time workers.

Women and non-binary people (60%) also reported feeling undercompensated for their work, as did people of colour (62%). That’s compared to 50% of men and 50% of workers who identify “solely as white.”

While 33% said their employers are “working to close existing pay gaps” for underrepresented workers, one-tenth reported no efforts were being made.

The survey also found that people of colour earn 27% less on average than their white peers, while women earn 24% less than men. GDC noted that the current gender pay gap in the US is around 15%.

Elsewhere, one-fourth of those surveyed were affected by layoffs in the past two years, with almost half having yet to find a job.

When asked about the stability of game development compared to other industries, 80% of respondents described it as a “less secure” profession.