Strong 6.5% annual wage growth
This role's national salaries are growing at 6.5% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Nampa median reaches $112,347 in five years.
GamingUpdated Q1 2026
Video Game Designer Salary
in Nampa, ID
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 Nampa: $82K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Median salary
$82K
per year
Take-home: $53K
Salary range in Nampa
Entry level (25th)$58,000
Median (50th)$82,000
Senior (75th)$113,000
Top earner (90th)$153,000
Data freshness
- BLS OEWS · May 2025 release · pulled August 2025
- DOL H-1B LCA Disclosures · FY2026 Q1 · pulled February 2026
- C2ER Cost of Living Index · 2026 Q1 · pulled April 2026
Figures represent annual base salary in Nampa, Idaho. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Help build this dataset. Add your own Video Game Designer salary so other workers in Nampa have better numbers to work with.
Submit yours →What the numbers say for Nampa
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Rent eats 31% of take-home
Average 1-bedroom rent in Nampa ($1,350/mo) consumes approximately 31% of an after-tax median Video Game Designer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($113K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Key facts for Nampa
Median salary
$82K
annual
Take-home pay
$53K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.8%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,350
per month
YoY growth
+6.5%
salary trend
Salary forecast: Nampa Video Game Designer to 2030
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $82K by 2030.
Full salary breakdown & negotiation guide
Unlock the full salary report + negotiation email template
Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates — unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Video Game Designer Salary in Nampa, Idaho: Complete Guide (2026)
The median Video Game Designer salary in Nampa, ID is $82,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Nampa–ID 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.
Salary range for Video Game Designer in Nampa
Entry-level Video Game Designers in Nampa with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $58,000 and $82,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $82,000 to $113,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $113,000 to $153,000 or more.
Cost of living in Nampa for Video Game Designers
Nampa has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Nampa than the national average. Idaho has a 5.8% state income tax rate.
Education requirements for Video Game Designer
Bachelor's in Game Design or CS; strong portfolio. This role is 60% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Nampa-based professionals.