Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.
Video Game Designers
SOC: 15-1255 O*NET: 15-1255.01
Median Salary
$98,090
per year
Job Growth
📈 7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
9.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.
What does a Video Game Designers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,840
10th percentile
Early Career
$64,990
25th percentile
Median
$98,090
50th percentile
Experienced
$141,860
75th percentile
Top Earners
$192,180
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,840
25th
$64,990
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$98,090
Mean: $111,450
75th
$141,860
90th
$192,180
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $144,340 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $64,990 and $141,860
- •Salary spread is 78.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 111,400 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:128,900
Top Industries
Information31%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7%
Annual Openings:9,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)128,900
Current
2034 (Projected)137,900
+7%
+9,000
Employment Change
+7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Video Game Designers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
27,210 jobs$130,2402.09x
New York
14,840 jobs$121,7002.15x
Washington
7,840 jobs$126,9603.07x
Texas
7,360 jobs$89,6300.74x
Florida
4,140 jobs$75,4800.58x
Pennsylvania
4,080 jobs$61,0300.94x
Tennessee
3,470 jobs$61,5901.47x
North Carolina
3,360 jobs$84,9900.95x
Georgia
3,070 jobs$100,5300.87x
Colorado
2,740 jobs$103,9901.31x
Virginia
2,740 jobs$66,2400.93x
Massachusetts
2,690 jobs$107,5601.02x
New Jersey
2,450 jobs$87,0700.80x
Illinois
2,140 jobs$94,6600.49x
Ohio
1,940 jobs$88,1700.48x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
✓
Programming
Programming
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
✓
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
✓
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
✓
Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving
✓
Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making
✓
Active Learning
Active Learning
✓
Time Management
Time Management
✓
Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis
✓
Systems Evaluation
Systems Evaluation
What knowledge is required?
✓
Design
✓
Computers and Electronics
✓
Communications and Media
✓
Psychology
✓
Mathematics
✓
English Language
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Video Game Designers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechDocker
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechRed Hat OpenShift
🔥 Hot TechSpring Boot
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechSlack
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechChef
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Docker
GitHub
Red Hat OpenShift
Spring Boot
Tableau
Slack
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Splunk Enterprise
Chef
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
0
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (12)Communication & Coordination (1)General Responsibilities (3)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination94% perform96%
4
Conduct user research to determine design requirements and analyze user feedback to improve design quality.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Create searchable indices for Web page content.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Create Web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Develop and document style guidelines for Web site content.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Develop new visual design concepts and modify concepts based on stakeholder feedback.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Video Game Designers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Video Game Designers professionals typically have a AIE Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
IInvestigative
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Video Game Designers
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.50
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.45
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.35
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.30
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.30
Complete Work Styles Profile
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Innovation
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Dependability
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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