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The differences between game programmers and software developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a game programmer, becoming a software developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a game programmer has an average salary of $94,000, which is higher than the $87,521 average annual salary of a software developer.
The top three skills for a game programmer include unreal engine, game development and math. The most important skills for a software developer are java, python, and C++.
| Game Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,000 | $87,521 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $42.08 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 186,952 | 294,329 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
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.
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Game programmers and software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $94,000 | $87,521 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $134,000 | Between $67,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a game programmer and a software developer in terms of educational background:
| Game Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between game programmers' and software developers' demographics:
| Game Programmer | Software Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| 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, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |