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The differences between game programmers and programmers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a game programmer and a programmer. Additionally, a game programmer has an average salary of $94,000, which is higher than the $73,007 average annual salary of a programmer.
The top three skills for a game programmer include unreal engine, game development and math. The most important skills for a programmer are java, javascript, and CSS.
| Game Programmer | Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,000 | $73,007 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $35.10 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 186,952 | 234,565 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A game programmer is a type of software engineer who works in the gaming industry. They write code for games and work closely with other departments like game design and animation. If they are the lead programmer, they may be expected to assign jobs and manage the whole development process. If they are not the lead, they may be expected to develop codes so the game has 2D and 3D graphics.
Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.
Game programmers and programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Programmer | Programmer | |
| Average salary | $94,000 | $73,007 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $134,000 | Between $54,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a game programmer and a programmer in terms of educational background:
| Game Programmer | Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between game programmers' and programmers' demographics:
| Game Programmer | Programmer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 19.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |