What is the average Director of Game Development salary in the US?

The national median Director of Game Development salary is $168,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $128,000, while senior professionals earn $285,000 or more.

Which city pays Director of Game Developments the most?

New York City offers the highest median Director of Game Development salary at $314K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Director of Game Development salaries growing?

Director of Game Development salaries are growing at 7.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Gaming55% remote-eligible+7.5% YoY growth

Director of Game Development Salary
by City (2026)

Lead game development teams, set creative direction, and manage multiple game titles. National median: $168K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$168K

Top 10% earn

$285K

Entry level

$128K

Salary growth

+7.5%/yr

Director of Game Development salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$239K	$314K	$408K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$237K	$311K	$403K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$237K	$311K	$403K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$224K	$294K	$382K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$220K	$289K	$375K	172	9.3%
San Francisco, CA	$211K	$277K	$360K	224	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$211K	$277K	$360K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$211K	$277K	$360K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$207K	$272K	$353K	162	None ✓
San Jose, CA	$202K	$265K	$344K	210	9.3%
Stamford, CT	$202K	$265K	$344K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$198K	$260K	$338K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$192K	$252K	$327K	150	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$189K	$249K	$323K	185	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$189K	$249K	$323K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$189K	$249K	$323K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$186K	$244K	$316K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$186K	$244K	$316K	145	10.75%
Seattle, WA	$182K	$239K	$310K	150	None ✓
Washington, DC	$179K	$235K	$305K	152	8.5%
Paterson, NJ	$179K	$235K	$305K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$177K	$232K	$301K	138	9.3%
Boston, MA	$177K	$232K	$301K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$177K	$232K	$301K	162	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$177K	$232K	$301K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$177K	$232K	$301K	138	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$173K	$227K	$294K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$173K	$227K	$294K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$169K	$222K	$288K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$166K	$218K	$283K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$164K	$215K	$279K	155	9.3%
Austin, TX	$156K	$205K	$266K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$156K	$205K	$266K	130	9.9%
New Haven, CT	$156K	$205K	$266K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$154K	$202K	$262K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$151K	$198K	$257K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$151K	$198K	$257K	128	None ✓
Vancouver, WA	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	None ✓
Denver, CO	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$151K	$198K	$257K	118	5.99%
Plano, TX	$147K	$193K	$251K	105	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$147K	$193K	$251K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$147K	$193K	$251K	118	2.5%
Lakewood, CO	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$147K	$193K	$251K	120	5%
Ann Arbor, MI	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	4.25%
Salt Lake City, UT	$147K	$193K	$251K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	5.75%
Frederick, MD	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$147K	$193K	$251K	115	5.99%
Honolulu, HI	$147K	$193K	$251K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$143K	$188K	$244K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$143K	$188K	$244K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$143K	$188K	$244K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$143K	$188K	$244K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$143K	$188K	$244K	112	4.55%
Durham, NC	$143K	$188K	$244K	100	4.75%
Cary, NC	$143K	$188K	$244K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$143K	$188K	$244K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$143K	$188K	$244K	106	6.8%
Aurora, CO	$141K	$185K	$240K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$141K	$185K	$240K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$141K	$185K	$240K	102	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$141K	$185K	$240K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$141K	$185K	$240K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$141K	$185K	$240K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$141K	$185K	$240K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$138K	$181K	$235K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$138K	$181K	$235K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$138K	$181K	$235K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$138K	$181K	$235K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$138K	$181K	$235K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$134K	$176K	$229K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$134K	$176K	$229K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$134K	$176K	$229K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$134K	$176K	$229K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$134K	$176K	$229K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$134K	$176K	$229K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$134K	$176K	$229K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$134K	$176K	$229K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$134K	$176K	$229K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$134K	$176K	$229K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$134K	$176K	$229K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$134K	$176K	$229K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$134K	$176K	$229K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$131K	$171K	$222K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$131K	$171K	$222K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$131K	$171K	$222K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$131K	$171K	$222K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$131K	$171K	$222K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$131K	$171K	$222K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$128K	$168K	$218K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$128K	$168K	$218K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$128K	$168K	$218K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$128K	$168K	$218K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$128K	$168K	$218K	102	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$128K	$168K	$218K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$128K	$168K	$218K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$125K	$165K	$214K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$125K	$165K	$214K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$125K	$165K	$214K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$125K	$165K	$214K	98	7.15%
Cincinnati, OH	$123K	$161K	$209K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$123K	$161K	$209K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$123K	$161K	$209K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$123K	$161K	$209K	90	5.3%
Fresno, CA	$122K	$160K	$207K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$122K	$160K	$207K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$122K	$160K	$207K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$122K	$160K	$207K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$122K	$160K	$207K	95	6.5%
San Antonio, TX	$118K	$155K	$201K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$118K	$155K	$201K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$118K	$155K	$201K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$118K	$155K	$201K	95	None ✓
Athens, GA	$118K	$155K	$201K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$118K	$155K	$201K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$118K	$155K	$201K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$118K	$155K	$201K	92	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$118K	$155K	$201K	88	4.82%
Cheyenne, WY	$118K	$155K	$201K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	4.95%
Cleveland, OH	$115K	$151K	$196K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$115K	$151K	$196K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$115K	$151K	$196K	88	5.84%
Fargo, ND	$115K	$151K	$196K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$113K	$148K	$192K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$113K	$148K	$192K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$113K	$148K	$192K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$113K	$148K	$192K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$113K	$148K	$192K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$109K	$143K	$185K	84	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	5.3%
Tulsa, OK	$109K	$143K	$185K	80	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$109K	$143K	$185K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$109K	$143K	$185K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$105K	$138K	$179K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$102K	$134K	$174K	78	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$102K	$134K	$174K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$100K	$131K	$170K	78	6.5%
Laredo, TX	$96K	$126K	$164K	76	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$96K	$126K	$164K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$96K	$126K	$164K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$96K	$126K	$164K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $168K Director of Game Development salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Director of Game Development Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Director of Game Development is $168,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $128,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $218,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Director of Game Developments nationally earn $285,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or Game Design; 10+ years game development. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Director of Game Development compensation is growing at 7.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Director of Game Developments significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Director of Game Development Salaryby City (2026)