Best cities for a game developer
The best cities for game developers are Las Vegas, NV, Henderson, NV, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for game developers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for game developers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a game developer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for game developers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for game developers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a game developer. While the absolute best city for game developers is Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for game developers in 2024.
If you're looking for a game developer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for game developers in 2025
1. Las Vegas, NV
Total game developer jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $108,803 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 17.86 2. Henderson, NV
Total game developer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $107,755 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 43.30 3. San Francisco, CA
Total game developer jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $124,996 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 9.62 4. Seattle, WA
Total game developer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $106,442 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $154,000 Location quotient: 3.56 5. San Jose, CA
Total game developer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $124,103 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 2.54 6. North Las Vegas, NV
Total game developer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $108,681 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Los Angeles, CA
Total game developer jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $110,070 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $159,000 Location quotient: 11.21 8. Reno, NV
Total game developer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $115,454 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $170,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Sacramento, CA
Total game developer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $124,527 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Oakland, CA
Total game developer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $124,807 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for game developers
- Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- San Jose, CA
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Reno, NV
- Sacramento, CA
- Oakland, CA
- (7 game developer jobs)
- (2 game developer jobs)
- (16 game developer jobs)
- (5 game developer jobs)
- (3 game developer jobs)
- (0 game developer jobs)
- (16 game developer jobs)
- (0 game developer jobs)
- (0 game developer jobs)
- (0 game developer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a game developer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $108,803 | $73,000 | 632,912 | 7 |
| 2 | Henderson, NV | $107,755 | $73,000 | 292,969 | 2 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $124,996 | $85,000 | 870,887 | 16 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $106,442 | $73,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $124,103 | $84,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 6 | North Las Vegas, NV | $108,681 | $73,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $110,070 | $75,000 | 3,976,322 | 16 |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $115,454 | $78,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $124,527 | $84,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 10 | Oakland, CA | $124,807 | $85,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 11 | Fremont, CA | $124,393 | $84,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $124,130 | $84,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $95,330 | $66,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $95,298 | $66,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 15 | Scottsdale, AZ | $95,248 | $66,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $121,560 | $82,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 17 | Mesa, AZ | $94,854 | $66,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 18 | Nashville, TN | $81,155 | $59,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 19 | Bakersfield, CA | $116,656 | $79,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 20 | Chandler, AZ | $94,844 | $66,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 21 | Gilbert, AZ | $94,784 | $66,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 22 | Philadelphia, PA | $84,635 | $59,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 23 | Tucson, AZ | $93,413 | $66,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 24 | Portland, OR | $101,109 | $69,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $98,701 | $68,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 26 | Memphis, TN | $80,016 | $59,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 27 | Durham, NC | $82,911 | $60,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 28 | Lexington, KY | $84,824 | $62,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 29 | Louisville, KY | $83,922 | $61,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $108,857 | $75,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | San Diego, CA | $105,441 | $73,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 32 | Anaheim, CA | $108,734 | $75,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 33 | Austin, TX | $82,754 | $59,000 | 947,890 | 2 |
| 34 | Pittsburgh, PA | $81,287 | $58,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 35 | Riverside, CA | $108,440 | $74,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 36 | Santa Ana, CA | $108,383 | $75,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 37 | Charlotte, NC | $81,058 | $59,000 | 842,051 | 2 |
| 38 | Winston-Salem, NC | $81,871 | $59,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 39 | San Antonio, TX | $83,070 | $59,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 40 | Irvine, CA | $108,072 | $74,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 41 | El Paso, TX | $85,184 | $60,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 42 | Laredo, TX | $83,039 | $59,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 43 | Fort Wayne, IN | $79,633 | $58,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 44 | Cleveland, OH | $79,559 | $56,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 45 | Chula Vista, CA | $105,085 | $73,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 46 | Raleigh, NC | $83,055 | $60,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 47 | Lubbock, TX | $82,712 | $59,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 48 | Corpus Christi, TX | $82,636 | $59,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 49 | Houston, TX | $82,237 | $59,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 50 | Plano, TX | $80,559 | $58,000 | 286,057 | 2 |
Highest paying cities for game developers
| Rank | City | Avg. game developer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $124,996 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $108,803 |
| 3 | Kirkland, WA | $106,462 |
| 4 | Hillsboro, OR | $101,242 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $98,701 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $98,320 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $90,437 |
| 8 | Newark, NJ | $87,492 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $83,402 |
| 10 | Cary, NC | $82,950 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | $82,754 |
| 12 | Miami, FL | $82,628 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $79,902 |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $76,590 |
| 15 | Leawood, KS | $76,210 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $75,881 |
| 17 | Huntsville, AL | $73,680 |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $69,288 |
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Updated January 8, 2025