Gaming55% remote-eligible+7.5% YoY growth

Director of Game Development Salary
by City (2026)

Lead game development teams, set creative direction, and manage multiple game titles. National median: $168K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$168K

Top 10% earn

$285K

Entry level

$128K

Salary growth

+7.5%/yr

Director of Game Development salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$211K	$277K	$360K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$202K	$265K	$344K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$190K	$250K	$324K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$189K	$249K	$323K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$189K	$248K	$322K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$189K	$248K	$322K	185	11%
Seattle, WA	$182K	$239K	$310K	150	None ✓
Bellevue, WA	$182K	$239K	$310K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$180K	$236K	$307K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$179K	$235K	$305K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$177K	$232K	$301K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$177K	$232K	$301K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$175K	$230K	$298K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$175K	$230K	$298K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$173K	$227K	$294K	163	9.3%
Kirkland, WA	$173K	$227K	$295K	162	None ✓
Arlington, VA	$173K	$227K	$294K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$170K	$224K	$290K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$169K	$222K	$288K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$168K	$221K	$287K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$166K	$218K	$283K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$165K	$216K	$281K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$164K	$215K	$279K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$163K	$215K	$278K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$163K	$215K	$278K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$161K	$212K	$275K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$161K	$212K	$275K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$158K	$207K	$269K	140	10.75%
Austin, TX	$156K	$205K	$266K	110	None ✓
Chula Vista, CA	$157K	$205K	$267K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$156K	$205K	$266K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$157K	$205K	$267K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$157K	$205K	$267K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$151K	$198K	$257K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$151K	$198K	$257K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$147K	$193K	$251K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$147K	$193K	$251K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$147K	$193K	$251K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$147K	$193K	$251K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$147K	$193K	$251K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$147K	$193K	$251K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$145K	$191K	$248K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$144K	$189K	$245K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$143K	$188K	$244K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$143K	$188K	$244K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$143K	$188K	$244K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$143K	$188K	$244K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$143K	$188K	$244K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$143K	$188K	$244K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$143K	$187K	$243K	118	5.99%
Aurora, CO	$141K	$185K	$240K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$141K	$185K	$240K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$141K	$185K	$240K	102	4.75%
Provo, UT	$141K	$185K	$240K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$141K	$185K	$240K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$141K	$185K	$240K	128	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$141K	$184K	$239K	115	5.99%
Pembroke Pines, FL	$138K	$182K	$236K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$138K	$182K	$236K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$138K	$182K	$236K	112	4.75%
Irving, TX	$138K	$181K	$235K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$138K	$181K	$235K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$138K	$181K	$235K	105	2.5%
St. Paul, MN	$138K	$181K	$235K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$137K	$180K	$233K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$136K	$178K	$231K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$134K	$176K	$229K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$134K	$176K	$229K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$134K	$176K	$229K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$134K	$176K	$229K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$134K	$176K	$229K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$134K	$176K	$229K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$134K	$176K	$229K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$134K	$176K	$229K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$134K	$175K	$227K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$134K	$175K	$227K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$134K	$175K	$227K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$134K	$175K	$227K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$134K	$175K	$227K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$131K	$173K	$224K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$131K	$173K	$224K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$131K	$171K	$222K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$131K	$171K	$222K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	9.3%
Orlando, FL	$131K	$171K	$222K	100	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	4.85%
Huntsville, AL	$131K	$171K	$222K	88	5%
Overland Park, KS	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$130K	$171K	$221K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$129K	$169K	$219K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$128K	$168K	$218K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$128K	$168K	$218K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$128K	$168K	$218K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$128K	$168K	$218K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$128K	$168K	$218K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$128K	$168K	$218K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$127K	$166K	$216K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$125K	$165K	$214K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$125K	$165K	$214K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$125K	$165K	$214K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$125K	$163K	$212K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$125K	$163K	$212K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$125K	$163K	$212K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$125K	$163K	$212K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$125K	$163K	$212K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$123K	$162K	$210K	90	2.5%
Cincinnati, OH	$123K	$161K	$209K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$123K	$161K	$209K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$123K	$161K	$209K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$123K	$161K	$209K	90	5.3%
Pasadena, TX	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$122K	$160K	$207K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$122K	$160K	$207K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$122K	$160K	$207K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$122K	$160K	$207K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$122K	$160K	$207K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$120K	$157K	$204K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$118K	$155K	$201K	87	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$118K	$155K	$201K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$118K	$155K	$201K	95	None ✓
Louisville, KY	$118K	$155K	$201K	85	5%
Des Moines, IA	$118K	$155K	$201K	88	4.82%
Amarillo, TX	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$118K	$154K	$200K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$116K	$153K	$198K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$115K	$151K	$196K	82	3.99%
Toledo, OH	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	4.25%
Evansville, IN	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	3.23%
New Orleans, LA	$115K	$151K	$196K	92	6%
Shreveport, LA	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	6%
Omaha, NE	$115K	$151K	$196K	88	5.84%
Jackson, MS	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$115K	$151K	$196K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$113K	$148K	$192K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$113K	$148K	$192K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$113K	$148K	$192K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$113K	$148K	$192K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$113K	$148K	$192K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$113K	$148K	$192K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$109K	$143K	$185K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$109K	$143K	$185K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$109K	$143K	$185K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$102K	$134K	$174K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$96K	$126K	$164K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $168K Director of Game Development salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Director of Game Development Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Director of Game Development is $168,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $128,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $218,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Director of Game Developments nationally earn $285,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or Game Design; 10+ years game development. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Director of Game Development compensation is growing at 7.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Director of Game Developments significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Director of Game Development salary FAQ

How much does a Director of Game Development make?

The median Director of Game Development salary in the US is $168,000 per year — about $81/hour. Most earn between $128,000 (25th percentile) and $218,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Director of Game Development?

Entry-level Director of Game Development positions typically start around $128,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Director of Game Developments earn?

The top 10% of Director of Game Developments earn $285,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Director of Game Developments the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Director of Game Development salary at $277K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Director of Game Development salaries going up?

Yes — Director of Game Development pay is growing about 7.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Director of Game Development Salaryby City (2026)