Gaming60% remote-eligible+6.5% YoY growth

Video Game Designer Salary
by City (2026)

Design the gameplay, levels, mechanics, and systems that make video games fun. One of the most sought-after creative roles in the games industry. National median: $82K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$82K

Top 10% earn

$152K

Entry level

$58K

Salary growth

+6.5%/yr

Video 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 Video 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 →

Video Game Designer Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Video 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 Video 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

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

Video Game Designer salary FAQ

How much does a Video Game Designer make?

The median Video 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 Video Game Designer?

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

How much do the highest-paid Video Game Designers earn?

The top 10% of Video 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 Video Game Designers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Video 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 Video Game Designer salaries going up?

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

Video Game Designer Salaryby City (2026)