Gaming60% remote-eligible+6.5% YoY growth

Game Designer Salary
by City (2026)

Design gameplay mechanics, systems, and player experiences for video games. National median: $82K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$82K

Top 10% earn

$152K

Entry level

$58K

Salary growth

+6.5%/yr

Game Designer salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$96K	$135K	$185K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$92K	$130K	$177K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$86K	$122K	$167K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$86K	$121K	$166K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$86K	$121K	$165K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$86K	$121K	$165K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$83K	$117K	$159K	175	None ✓
Seattle, WA	$82K	$116K	$159K	150	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$82K	$115K	$158K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$81K	$115K	$157K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$80K	$113K	$155K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$80K	$113K	$155K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$79K	$112K	$153K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$79K	$112K	$153K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$78K	$111K	$151K	163	9.3%
Kirkland, WA	$78K	$111K	$152K	162	None ✓
Arlington, VA	$78K	$111K	$151K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$77K	$109K	$149K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$77K	$108K	$148K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$76K	$108K	$147K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$75K	$107K	$146K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$75K	$106K	$144K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$74K	$105K	$143K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$74K	$105K	$143K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$74K	$105K	$143K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$73K	$103K	$141K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$73K	$103K	$141K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$72K	$101K	$138K	140	10.75%
Austin, TX	$71K	$100K	$137K	110	None ✓
Chula Vista, CA	$71K	$100K	$137K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$71K	$100K	$137K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$71K	$100K	$137K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$71K	$100K	$137K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$68K	$97K	$132K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$68K	$97K	$132K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$68K	$97K	$132K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$67K	$94K	$129K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$67K	$94K	$129K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$67K	$94K	$129K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$67K	$94K	$129K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$67K	$94K	$129K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$67K	$94K	$129K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$67K	$94K	$129K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$66K	$93K	$127K	122	6.99%
Dallas, TX	$65K	$92K	$125K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$65K	$92K	$125K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$65K	$92K	$125K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$65K	$92K	$125K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$65K	$92K	$125K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$65K	$92K	$125K	106	6.8%
Nashua, NH	$65K	$92K	$126K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$65K	$91K	$125K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$64K	$90K	$123K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$64K	$90K	$123K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$64K	$90K	$123K	102	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	4.25%
Provo, UT	$64K	$90K	$123K	100	4.85%
Frederick, MD	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$64K	$90K	$123K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$64K	$90K	$123K	115	5.99%
Anchorage, AK	$64K	$90K	$123K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$63K	$89K	$121K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$63K	$89K	$121K	118	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$63K	$89K	$121K	112	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$63K	$89K	$121K	105	2.5%
Fort Collins, CO	$63K	$89K	$121K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$63K	$89K	$121K	112	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$63K	$89K	$121K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$62K	$88K	$120K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$61K	$87K	$119K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$61K	$86K	$118K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$61K	$86K	$118K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$60K	$86K	$117K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$61K	$86K	$118K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$61K	$86K	$118K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$60K	$86K	$117K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$61K	$86K	$118K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$61K	$86K	$118K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$61K	$86K	$118K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$60K	$86K	$117K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$60K	$86K	$117K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$61K	$86K	$118K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$60K	$86K	$117K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$59K	$84K	$114K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$59K	$84K	$114K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$60K	$84K	$115K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$59K	$84K	$114K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$59K	$84K	$114K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$60K	$84K	$115K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$59K	$83K	$114K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	6.85%
St. Petersburg, FL	$58K	$82K	$112K	105	None ✓
Port St. Lucie, FL	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$58K	$82K	$112K	98	2.5%
Chesapeake, VA	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	5.75%
Richmond, VA	$58K	$82K	$112K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$58K	$82K	$112K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$58K	$82K	$112K	102	5.3%
North Las Vegas, NV	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$58K	$82K	$112K	105	6.5%
Nampa, ID	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$58K	$82K	$113K	98	7.15%
Bakersfield, CA	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$57K	$81K	$111K	95	6.5%
Midland, TX	$56K	$80K	$109K	92	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$57K	$80K	$110K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$56K	$80K	$109K	92	5.75%
Virginia Beach, VA	$57K	$80K	$110K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$57K	$80K	$110K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$56K	$80K	$109K	92	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$57K	$80K	$110K	102	None ✓
Greenville, SC	$56K	$80K	$109K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$56K	$80K	$109K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	4.95%
Cincinnati, OH	$56K	$79K	$108K	88	3.99%
Sterling Heights, MI	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	4.25%
St. Louis, MO	$56K	$79K	$108K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$56K	$79K	$108K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$56K	$79K	$108K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$55K	$78K	$106K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$55K	$78K	$106K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$55K	$78K	$106K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$55K	$78K	$106K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$55K	$78K	$107K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$54K	$77K	$105K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$53K	$75K	$103K	87	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$53K	$75K	$103K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$53K	$75K	$103K	95	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$53K	$75K	$103K	85	5%
Mobile, AL	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$53K	$75K	$103K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$53K	$75K	$103K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5.75%
Cleveland, OH	$52K	$74K	$101K	82	3.99%
Toledo, OH	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	3.99%
Akron, OH	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$52K	$74K	$101K	90	4.25%
Erie, PA	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	3.23%
Evansville, IN	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	4.75%
New Orleans, LA	$52K	$74K	$101K	92	6%
Shreveport, LA	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	6%
Omaha, NE	$52K	$74K	$101K	88	5.84%
Las Cruces, NM	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	5%
Gulfport, MS	$53K	$74K	$102K	80	5%
Charleston, WV	$52K	$74K	$100K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$51K	$72K	$99K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$51K	$72K	$99K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$51K	$72K	$99K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$51K	$72K	$99K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$51K	$72K	$99K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$51K	$72K	$99K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$51K	$72K	$99K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$51K	$72K	$99K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$51K	$72K	$99K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$51K	$72K	$99K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$51K	$72K	$99K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$51K	$72K	$99K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$49K	$70K	$95K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$49K	$70K	$95K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$49K	$70K	$95K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$48K	$67K	$92K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$48K	$67K	$92K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$46K	$66K	$90K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$44K	$62K	$84K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $82K Game Designer 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 →

Game Designer Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Game Designer is $82,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $58,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $112,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Game Designers nationally earn $152,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Game Design or CS; strong portfolio. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Game Designer compensation is growing at 6.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Game Designers significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Game Designer salary FAQ

How much does a Game Designer make?

The median Game Designer salary in the US is $82,000 per year — about $39/hour. Most earn between $58,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Game Designer?

Entry-level Game Designer positions typically start around $58,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Game Designers earn?

The top 10% of Game Designers earn $152,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Game Designers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Game Designer salary at $135K 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 Game Designer salaries going up?

Yes — Game Designer pay is growing about 6.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Game Designer Salaryby City (2026)