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Game Designers Earn More In UK Than In US

Posted by kdawson on from the hopping-the-pond dept.

Mark Graham writes "A number of surveys have recently put out details on the wages games developers earn in various parts of the world. Surveys by Develop in Europe and Game Developer in the US were among these. A report now compares the salary levels of various roles in the US and Europe. Turns out that game designers and producers do better in the UK, while artists and QA/testing wages are relatively the same on both sides of the Atlantic — and QA specifically is the worst paid; the lowest salaries being around £12,000/$25,000 — ouch! Luckily, I'm a programmer, but looks like I need to move country: we have the best paid roles in games development, but programmers are better off in America."

3 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. In Useful Dollars by MBCook · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That's cute and all, but what is that in pocket money? When you take out taxes, health care, rent, gas, water, electricity, phone, internet, etc... how much is left? Is there still an advantage in the UK? Does the advantage switch to the US? Are they about the same then?

    Now you'll have to go based on average. Things are more expensive in NYC, Seattle, San Francisco, London, etc. than in smaller places like Dallas, Kansas City, Omaha, etc.

    Speaking of which, how does the average salary of the place most of these jobs are located in effect this? Are the UK numbers higher because most video game jobs are located in extremely expensive areas?

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    1. Re:In Useful Dollars by MBCook · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That's a good question. I've wondered that too. I don't think there are any game studios near me. I'm pretty sure I'd have to go at least 75 miles to get to one with more than 2 or 3 employees.

      I can think of three reasons.

      1. Big companies - Microsoft hires tons of people. Many eventually leave. That leaves a large pool of talent in the Seattle area
      2. Industry - This ties in with #1. Nintendo had lots of video game programmers, so not only are there programmers up in Washington, there are game programmers
      3. Finance - There are many more banks and VCs and such in a town like Seattle, San Fran, or any other large city than in smaller places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming. That makes it easier to expand your company past 3 people.

      Number 2 is probably the biggest reasons. If you want to act, you go to NYC or Hollywood. If you want to be in fashion you go to Paris, Milan, or NYC. If you want to be in games you can go to Seattle, San Fran, or Dallas (they seem to have quite a few, iD among others). Once people start following that advice, it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

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      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
  2. Re:News Flash! Weak dollar = low comparitiv salari by Lost+Engineer · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Very true, you win the "basic understanding of economics" prize, which seems to have eluded the submitter.

    The worst situation is for those who work in the UK but get paid in dollars (usually Americans.)