Around 60% of U.S. video game developers saw salary increases in 2025, new research shows. The newly published study — the GDC Festival of Gaming’s “2025 Game Industry Salary Report” — features employment data from 562 American gaming industry professionals. Pollsters with the GDC Festival of Gaming and Informa surveyed American game developers in July 2025 to determine how salaries have fared amid industry layoffs, studio acquisitions, and AI-driven company changes. According to the report, the average U.S. developer earned around $142,000 in 2025. Around 3 in 5 respondents (60%) said their current pay edges out wages from 2024 (even if only slightly). The median salary for American devs is around $129,000.
One in four respondents reported being affected by layoffs at some point in the last two years, and almost half of those affected have yet to find a job. When asked about overall industry stability, 80% of respondents described it as “less secure.”
Key Findings
Twenty-five percent (25%) of those surveyed reported an annual salary between $125,000 and $199,999, while about 23% reported earning between $50,000 and $99,999. Approximately 33% of respondents report an annual salary under $100,000. However, 5% of respondents reported an annual salary of under $15,000.
While salaries rose overall, that’s not the case for all workers. Three in five workers (60%) reported receiving a wage increase this year, but 22% reported no increase or a cost-of-living adjustment.
Furthermore, around one in ten (10%) reported a wage decrease in 2025. Of those, 3% reported a modest decrease (1% to 4%), 1% noted a more substantial decrease (5% to 9%), and 6% stated their salary had “decreased significantly” (10% or more).
Overall, about 80% of respondents said their current wage meets or exceeds their basic needs. About one-third of respondents feel fairly compensated for their work; 5% say they are overcompensated. More than half (53%) report feeling “somewhat or significantly undercompensated at their job—based on their role, experience, and market conditions.” Respondents working in business/marketing, visual arts, or management/operations were more likely to report undercompensation.
AAAs vs. Indies
Unsurprisingly, developers working with big-budget companies (often called “triple-A” studios) report higher incomes. “According to our survey,” the report reads, “salaries tend to be higher for professionals in AAA studios, individuals working at larger companies, and those who were recruited or referred for their current positions instead of applying through a job posting.”
The Game Industry Salary Report says around 85% of developers working with AAA teams earned more than $100,000, while just 75% in AA and 50% in indie studios reported the same.
Additionally, experience and seniority also influence industry wages. The report says “seniority and years in industry also have an impact on salaries, with more years (or a higher title) usually resulting in higher pay.” While tenure can lead to higher pay, formal education may not necessarily do so. The report says that, “for the most part, education levels don’t seem to significantly impact average salaries—except for those with a master’s degree or PhD, who tend to get paid more.”
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When broken down by role, those in management and operations earned the most — $160,000 annually — while visual artists earned $124,000 yearly.
- Management and operations: $160,000
- Game programming: $150,000
- Business and marketing: $134,000
- Game design: $133,000
- Audio: $132,000
- Visual arts: $124,000
Gaming Industry Wage Gap
Despite higher overall figures, a gaming industry wage gap persists. The average salary for white employees is approximately $150,000, while the average salary for non-white employees is around $114,000. The average salary for male employees is around $155,000, while female workers average about $122,000. According to the report, women earn 24% less than their male counterparts; non-white workers bring home 27% less than their white coworkers.
Three in five women and non-binary industry workers (60%) report feeling undercompensated compared to 50% of men. Additionally, 62% of non-white game workers reported the same (compared to 50% of those “who identify solely as white”).
Approximately 33% said their employers are “working to close existing pay gaps,” but 10% reported no efforts from their employer.
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