Design the gameplay, levels, mechanics, and systems that make video games fun. One of the most sought-after creative roles in the games industry. Median salary in Elizabeth: $103K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Video Game Designers in Elizabeth earn approximately 26% higher than the US national median for this role — a $21,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Elizabeth's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Elizabeth's cost-of-living index (145), the median Video Game Designer salary buys the equivalent of $71,034 in a US-average-cost city. That's $10,966 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
New Jersey's 10.75% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $11,073 per year at the median salary. A Video Game Designer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $103K by 2030.
Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates — unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
The median Video Game Designer salary in Elizabeth, NJ is $103,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Elizabeth–NJ metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Video Game Designers in Elizabeth with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $73,000 and $103,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $103,000 to $141,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $141,000 to $192,000 or more.
Elizabeth has a cost of living index of 145 compared to the US national average of 100. Elizabeth's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. New Jersey has a 10.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Game Design or CS; strong portfolio. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Elizabeth-based professionals.