As the gaming industry continues to thrive and evolve, an increasing number of opportunities have emerged for individuals who are passionate about video games. Gamers no longer need to limit their enthusiasm to a hobby; they can now transform it into a fulfilling career. In this list, we’ll explore the top 10 jobs for gamers, offering diverse and exciting avenues for pursuing their love for gaming professionally. Whether you excel at playing, creating, critiquing, or supporting the gaming world, there’s a role that can turn your passion into a paycheck.
In the year 1995, there were 100 million gamers around the world. If that seems like a huge number then wait until you learn that this number has exceeded 2.6 billion in accordance with the latest Kleiner Perkins Internet Trends Report.
Gaming isn’t exclusively for gamers no more. In the study, the typical U.S. gamer is 35 years old. Female gamers are more prevalent older than male gamers younger than 18.
The creation and design of video games is an ideal job for developers, artists testers, designers, and others. The industry of video games has been growing steadily since the advent of video games. There is no ending to be seen as technology continues to advance. In 2026 the gaming industry is predicted to reach $321 billion.
What companies hire gamers?
In the field of game development and creation, there are companies that are of all kinds and sizes across the globe. In almost every region of the globe, there are big gaming companies and smaller independent game designers.
There are gaming businesses across the spectrum, the biggest video game employers in the world include
- Sony
- Microsoft
- Nintendo
- Tencent
- Activision Blizzard
- Electronic Arts
- Epic Games
- Take-Two Interactive
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Top 10 Jobs for Gamers
Game Developer
Game developers possess a wide range of skills such as art, design, and programming. Alongside a variety of specifications, game developers could specialize in different kinds of gaming devices like consoles or mobile.
Smaller studios may have game designers who are responsible for many different jobs, while larger firms may specialize in certain. Through the process of making the game, the developers continually improve their versions of the game until it’s available to go into production.
Average Salary: $84,640
Game Designer
Designers spark the imagination required to create imaginative worlds and stories in video games. Small-to-medium-sized teams collaborate to develop the plot characters, the gameplay, and the characters. They collaborate closely with developers to ensure that they keep a tight line between expanding the boundaries of innovative ideas and designing yet being able to create a deliverable that could be a storyboard, mockup, or prototype. They typically utilize game engines like Unity or art programs like Adobe Illustrator, and scripting languages like Python and C#. However, game designers focus more on concept development, game developers focus more on coding.
Average Salary: $66,470
Marketing Analyst
Marketing analysts are accountable for conducting market studies, research and analysis, and reporting. They provide crucial information about game-related demographics, and how a firm can be able to reach and engage with its intended audiences. They also pinpoint important trends, develop estimates of revenue and study market developments. Their main responsibility is to build a forecast model for how the game could sell, in order to figure out the release date and future results for the game.
Median Salary: $63,920
Video Game Writer
Writers compose dialogue, written descriptions, and narratives for video games. The role of a writer can be quite small in genres like puzzle games, where the writer can only offer a few phrases to introduce players to the fundamental gameplay. The role could be quite extensive in genres like role-playing games where dialogue is essential and frequently complicated.
The level of dialogue depends on the type of game.
Average Salary: $67,500
Animation
An animator is a type of artist who manipulates figures to provide motion to characters and scenes. There are a myriad of different tools utilized in animation. Certain animators are able to draw, while some don’t. Additionally, some are able to code, while others don’t. It’s all an issue of the tools the studio employs and which animators are the most at ease with.
At a minimum, having a basic understanding of coding or drawing can make your life as an animator much easier. Some of the most commonly used languages include HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Other popular tools include 3ds Max as well as After Effects.
Average Salary: $78,790
Video Game Artist
The game’s designers may design the game however, video game designers make it real. They design the different styles that will be integrated into the game and the marketing strategy. Are the characters going to sport an unsettling, eerie look or have a happy and vibrant look? The ubiquitous style of games makes them memorable and draws players into the world of games.
Certain artists prefer using more traditional methods of art like drawing or sketching with freehand and others may utilize more modern tools like ED motion capture and modeling.
Average Salary: $58,840
Game Tester
Whatever number of times you look over an item, there’s always something you’ve missed. Game testers are a fresh pair of eyes who provide the final review before a game is released to the market. They are particularly attentive to any flaws, inconsistencies, or bugs. They have the responsibility of writing an official report that is able to clear the game. It may seem like gamers play online games all the time however, they play an important part in making sure that an application is perfect on the first try.
Average Salary: $87,550
Professional Gamer
For all the parents that have yelled at their children to stop playing video games won’t assist them in obtaining work … Well it turns out this is not always the case. Naturally, the odds of becoming a professional video game player are the same as playing professionally in sports, but certain individuals achieve this target. They typically are full-time players and compete in tournaments. The winners can win huge prizes or be taken on by sponsors.
Average Salary: $56,130
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Programmer
There is no one who can play an entire video game like the programmer. Instead of fantasy characters and stories, programmers are able to see many thousands of lines of code for back-ends. They typically use C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. Different types of programmers work on games, typically using different languages with various areas of expertise and goals. Their task is to make all these ideas connect and form the basis of the game.
Average Salary: $93,000
Audio Engineer
The quality of sound in media has dramatically improved in the past few years, due in large part thanks to music engineers, as well as techs. Without that booming sound of a lightsaber, or the blasting sound of a gun, or the subdued changing of the calm background music to something alarming to indicate the imminent threat the gaming experience wouldn’t be as thrilling. It is not often that we are aware of the work of audio engineers however, they play an important part in the music and soundscape that keep players entertained.
Average Salary: $65,000
Conclusion
In conclusion, gamers can explore diverse career options in professional gaming, game development, testing, journalism, streaming, design, art, sound, coaching, and quality assurance, turning their passion into a profession.