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Average Developer Salary In 2009: $75,573
Game Developer Research has published its ninth annual survey of developer salaries, and this year's figure of $75,573 is down four percent from last year's average of $79,000. The firm, which provides analysis for Game Developer Magazine and website Gamasutra also breaks down its figures via job function, experience, gender, and other lines.
Certainly the economic slump the country is experiencing plays a role in the decline, although Game Developer Research points out that 2009 represents the second-highest average salary in the life of the survey. As the video game industry changes and developers are using new business models, the $75,573 average figure represents what the GDR classifies as the "mainstream," as opposed to people employed by themselves or at smaller indie developers.
Some interesting tidbits:
- Programmers are the highest paid employees in the industry next to business or executive jobs, pulling in an average income of $80,320. GDR points out that experience pays for programmers, with the six-year mark representing a significant bump in pay.
- According to the survey, the field of production shows the largest percentage of women (at 18 percent) in a non-business, development sector. This is nearly twice the industry average.
- Testers in quality assurance departments usually have the least experience and are the lowest paid (at an average of $37,905), although this figure doubles around the sixth year on the job.
- The discipline of art and animation was one of the few areas to show an average salary bump this year, up two percent to $71,071.
- Even after a six percent decline this year, people in business and marketing (including everything from PR to executives) represent the highest paid sector with an average salary of $96,408.
What are your thoughts on these stats? For those of you who want to jump into the industry, which of these specific fields listed above interest you the most?
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