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Game Designer and Developer Salary in California

How much does a Game Designer and Developer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Game Designer and Developer in California is $81,802 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Game Designer and Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,321
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,718 to $89,925
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,269
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Game Designer and Developer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Game Designer and Developer Salaries

A Game Designer and Developer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Game Designer and Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Game Designer and Developer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,110
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,046
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,157
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,295
  • Expert (over 8 years): $163,328
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Game Designer and Developer less than 1 year $80,110
CAE Designer II 1-2 years $90,046
CAE Designer III 2-4 years $124,157
CAE Designer IV 5-8 years $143,295
CAE Designer V over 8 years $163,328

How Do Game Designer and Developer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Game Designer and Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $82,114.
  • California: $81,802.
  • Massachusetts: $80,712.

Top Paying Cities for Game Designer and Developer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $81,943
  • West Hollywood: $81,884
  • Dodgertown: $81,943

Game Designer and Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Game Designer and Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 97% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Game Designer and Developer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Game Designer and Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Game Designer and Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $106,343 $51.0 30%
Financial Services $102,253 $49.0 25%
Software & Networking $99,799 $48.0 22%
Biotechnology $98,163 $47.0 20%
Internet $96,527 $46.0 18%

Game Designer and Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Game Designer and Developer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$74,718
Average $81,802/year
$89,925
$6,227
Average $6,817/month
$7,494
$1,437
Average $1,573/week
$1,729
$36
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,925 $7,494 $1,729 $43
Average $81,802 $6,817 $1,573 $39
25th Percentile $74,718 $6,227 $1,437 $36

Find Your Next Game Designer and Developer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Game Designer and Developer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Pure Imagination Management LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Unreal Game Designer

    Pure Imagination Management LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Unreal Game Designer. Job Location. Salina, Kansas. About Us. Pure Imagination Studios started in 2012 as a diversified e... more

    9 Days Ago

  • P2P | San Francisco, CA

    Senior Web3 Game Economy Designer

    P2P | San Francisco, CA

    A leading gaming company is seeking a Senior Game Economy Designer to lead the design and optimization of in-game economies across both Web2 and Web3 platf... more

    6 Days Ago

  • United Sports Brands | Costa Mesa, CA

    Technical Designer Product Developer

    United Sports Brands | Costa Mesa, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. SUMMARY OF POSITION. The Technical Designer / Product Developer supports the product creation team across all USB brands,... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Community Literature Initiative | Altadena, CA

    Website Designer and Developer

    Community Literature Initiative | Altadena, CA

    Quick Overview :Community Literature Initiative (CLI) seeks a web developer to help with our website.You will oversee the functionality of the website, eva... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Global Star Design | Pleasanton, CA

    PRODUCT DEVELOPER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

    Global Star Design | Pleasanton, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DEVELOPING PRODUCT LINE FOR HOME AND FLORAL DEPARTMENTS . STRATEGIC PLANNING-MARKET RESEARCH. KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS INCLUD... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA

    Instructional Designer and Course Developer

    Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA

    PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.We p... more

    8 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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