The game industry has weathered storms over the past two years—with widespread layoffs, studio closures, and the looming specter of AI automation. This is demonstrated in the 2025 GDC Salary Report, where over 500 US-based game industry workers shared how they're faring financially in this turbulent landscape—and why they're staying in spite of the challenges.
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The Compensation Situation
According to our survey, the average salary for US-based game industry professionals in 2025 sits at around $142,000, with a median of $129,000. While most game industry professionals can meet their basic needs, only one-third of respondents feel they are fairly compensated for their work (with a mere 5% believing they are overcompensated). Over half of all respondents feel somewhat or significantly undercompensated based on their role, experience, and current market conditions.
Layoffs Crisis Continues
The survey paints a troubling picture of how layoffs have impacted the industry over the past two years. One-fourth of respondents said they were laid off sometime in the past 24 months, with almost half of those affected still searching for new employment. The job search process has become increasingly grueling, with 40% of unemployed respondents noting they've submitted at least 100 applications so far.
This instability has a psychological impact as well as a financial one, particularly when it comes to job security. When asked to rate the stability of game development compared to other careers, a staggering 80% of employed respondents described it as a "less secure" profession. Among unemployed workers, this figure jumps to 98%.
Reality of Pay Inequality
A concerning finding in the survey relates to ongoing pay disparities. The data reveals that non-white workers earn on average 27% less than their white peers, while women earn 24% less than their male counterparts. Despite these issues, less than one-third of respondents reported that their companies are working to close existing pay gaps, while one-tenth said no efforts are being made.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges highlighted in this survey, many respondents said they are somewhat or very likely to stay in the game development industry for the next five years, highlighting the passion and dedication to the craft of making games.
We're also seeing a strong interest in industry unionization. Almost two-thirds of respondents said they support the unionization of game industry workers, with support particularly high among younger workers, people who are unemployed, and those earning less than $100,000 per year. Currently, only less than one-tenth of respondents are union members, but over half expressed interest in joining one.
Ready to dive deeper into the data? Download the complete salary report to access detailed breakdowns, additional statistics, and comprehensive analysis of compensation trends across different roles, company sizes, and demographic groups in the game development industry.
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