Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Ohio
$98,000 / year
≈ $8,150 per month · $47.12 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Ohio · median $86,500
25th percentile
$62,500Average
$98,00075th percentile
$130,000
$62,500Average
$98,00075th percentile
$130,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Video Game Designer salary by state
Alabama$76,000
Alaska$79,000
Arizona$116,000
California$151,500
Colorado$111,500
Connecticut$96,500
Delaware$95,500
District of Columbia$120,500
Florida$92,500
Georgia$116,000
Idaho$81,500
Illinois$102,500
Indiana$79,000
Iowa$74,500
Kansas$79,000
Kentucky$86,500
Louisiana$73,500
Maryland$107,500
Massachusetts$125,500
Michigan$92,000
Minnesota$91,000
Mississippi$65,000
Missouri$80,000
Montana$99,000
Nebraska$74,000
Nevada$96,000
New Hampshire$110,000
New Jersey$108,000
New Mexico$68,500
New York$134,500
North Carolina$107,500
North Dakota$74,500
Ohio$98,000
Oklahoma$81,000
Oregon$119,500
Pennsylvania$105,500
Rhode Island$113,000
South Carolina$98,000
Tennessee$68,500
Texas$115,500
Utah$110,500
Virginia$87,500
Washington$139,500
West Virginia$107,000
Wisconsin$97,500
Wyoming$77,500
About this role
Video Game Designer is a professional role within the function in the Computer and Mathematical job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Video Game Designers do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
Top skills: Programming Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Video Game Designer pay by experience level
Entry level$55,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$76,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$107,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$164,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$208,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
9,100
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Video Game Designer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
33,430 workers
$112,500Publishing Industries
19,050 workers
$132,000Computer Systems Design and Related Services
17,950 workers
$120,500Software Publishers
16,970 workers
$136,000Management of Companies and Enterprises
6,280 workers
$136,500Management of Companies and Enterprises
6,280 workers
$136,500Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
6,140 workers
$106,500Administrative and Support Services
5,660 workers
$120,000Broadcasting and Content Providers
5,430 workers
$140,500Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, & Other Media Networks & Content Providers
4,900 workers
$147,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Video Game Designer pays 2% below the average across 38 roles in the Computer and Mathematical job family (family average $123,500).
Similar-paying roles in Computer and Mathematical
Biostatistician$119,500
Computer Systems Analyst$118,500
Blockchain Engineer$126,500
Database Administrator$114,000
Business Intelligence Analyst$131,000
Mathematician$134,000
Computer Programmer$109,000
Careers related to Video Game Designer
Web Developer$102,500
Web Administrator$126,500
Software Developer$153,500
Computer Programmer$109,000
Database Administrator$114,000
Database Architect$149,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Video Game Designer make?
The average base salary for a Video Game Designer in the United States is $121,500 per year, or about $58.41 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $76,000 and $164,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Computer and Mathematical roles?
The Computer and Mathematical job family averages $123,500 across 38 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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