ReportGame Developers Conference
2025 Game Industry Salary Report
1 Mar 202518 pages~16 min full read
The average annual salary for U.S. game professionals is $142,000, yet 80% of workers perceive the industry as less secure than other career paths due to widespread instability.
See it on page 2One-fourth of industry professionals experienced a layoff in the last two years, with nearly 50% of those affected remaining unemployed.
See it on page 8Significant wage disparities persist, as non-white workers earn 27% less than white peers and women earn 24% less than men.
See it on page 10Despite high average earnings, over 50% of the workforce reports feeling undercompensated, and 11% have taken on side hustles to meet financial needs.
See it on page 6Labor sentiment is shifting toward collective action, with 64% of workers supporting unionization and 56% expressing interest in joining a union.
See it on page 12Remote work remains the industry standard for technical roles, with 60% of developers in programming and design working in fully remote positions.
See it on page 15The 2025 Game Industry Salary Report provides a comprehensive analysis of compensation, job security, and workplace sentiment among video game professionals in the United States. Based on a July 2025 survey of 562 industry professionals, the findings reveal a landscape defined by high average earnings contrasted against significant instability. The study maintains a 3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, covering various industry segments including AAA, indie, and co-development studios.
The average annual salary for U.S. game professionals reached $142,000 in 2025, with a median of $129,000. While 60% of respondents saw pay increases over the previous year, a profound sense of financial and professional dissatisfaction persists. Over half of the workforce feels undercompensated, a sentiment that is more pronounced among women, non-binary individuals, and non-white workers. Data highlights a persistent wage gap, with non-white workers earning 27% less than their white peers and women earning 24% less than men.
Industry stability remains a primary concern following a period of intense volatility. One-fourth of respondents experienced a layoff within the past two years, and nearly half of those individuals remain unemployed. Consequently, 80% of professionals view game development as less secure than other career paths. Despite these fears, 82% intend to remain in the industry for the next five years.
The report also tracks emerging labor trends, noting that 64% of workers support unionization and 56% are interested in joining a union. Remote work remains dominant, with approximately 60% of developers in programming and design roles working fully remotely. While 85% of employees receive health insurance, other benefits like childcare subsidies remain rare, leading 11% of the workforce to take on side hustles to meet financial needs or seek creative fulfillment.
