An important part of a team of design and development professionals, gaming engineers are involved in the creation of new video game software. The salary of a gaming engineer can vary greatly depending on the employer and job location. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as computer science, is required for this career. If you're interested in learning how to become a game engineer, this article outlines the important information, requirements, and top-paying regions in the U.S.
Gaming Engineer Career Overview
Gaming engineers work with teams of programmers, illustrators, and testers to design, develop and create new video games. Computer engineering game design may be involved with all phases of game development, from devising the initial concept to testing the product before release. To become a gaming engineer, a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science is required, and some employers prefer applicants with master's degrees.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree, in computer science or related field |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | 22% (much faster than average) |
| Median Salary (2019) | $107,510 (for software developers) |
| Highest-Paying U.S. Cities | San Mateo, CA, Boston, MA, Santa Monica, CA, Renton, WA, and Berkeley, CA |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Gaming Engineer Job Description
Gaming engineers can also be known as software developers or software quality assurance analysts and testers. These gaming engineers are specialized software engineers who design and program video games. Gaming engineers work with teams of developers on the entire process of creating a video game.
Game design engineering begins with the concept development and initial prototype development. At this stage, an engineer will provide knowledge of programming and the realities of game design. Engineers are responsible for creating coding sequences to create game play, and may need to create multiple codes for different gaming devices.
Engineers must also help with the troubleshooting of the finished product. Running tests and reviewing codes will show an engineer what needs to be redone or changed.
Gaming Engineer Requirements
Gaming engineers are required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field. A degree program in computer science will provide a potential engineer with an in-depth knowledge of the many languages used in computer programming, as well as data modeling, problem solving and computational mathematics.
In addition to a minimum of a bachelor's degree, potential gaming engineers must possess:
- Excellent communication
- Problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Adept technological abilities
- The ability to work cooperatively and successfully with a team
Gaming Engineer Salary Info
Factors like the type of employer, geographic location, and current economic conditions affect the salaries earned by gaming engineers. In January 2021, ziprecruiter.com reports that gaming software engineers in the 25th percentile average $90,000 per year, while those in the 75th percentile average $117,000 a year. The regions of the U.S. where gaming engineers are in highest demand are the San Francisco Bay Area and New York; SF gaming engineers make an average of $165,496 per year and those located in New York make $152,672, according to hired.com.
While there are advanced degrees in gaming engineering available, such as a Master of Science in Game Programming Online from DePaul University or Online Master of Science in Game Production and Management from the University of Advancing Technology, these degrees are not recommended. These specific master's do not offer greater job opportunities or pay, nor do they provide additional security.
Gaming Engineer Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of 21% for software developers from 2018 to 2028, which is considerably faster than the average reported rate for all professions. The ever-evolving sophistication of video games will continue to create many job opportunities for highly skilled engineers, though competition may be stiff due to the high level of interest in the field.
Although the BLS reports that the decade from 2018-2028 will see a much faster than average job growth for software developers, individuals considering a career as a gaming engineer should also take into account the competitive nature of the game development industry. Successful gaming engineers must possess a thorough knowledge of multiple programming languages, as well as a solid understanding of computational mathematics and data modeling.
