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The differences between game programmers and software 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 software programmer. Additionally, a game programmer has an average salary of $94,000, which is higher than the $71,612 average annual salary of a software programmer.
The top three skills for a game programmer include unreal engine, game development and math. The most important skills for a software programmer are java, javascript, and software development.
| Game Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,000 | $71,612 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $34.43 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 186,952 | 253,235 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
A software programmer is an information technology expert who specializes in programming software and generating codes, ensuring quality and efficiency. In a company setting, they typically perform research and analysis to understand and identify the projects' needs, develop and implement test structures, troubleshoot and resolve issues, write technical instructions, and provide technical support to staff as needed. Most of the time, a software programmer works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth workflow.
Game programmers and software programmers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Average salary | $94,000 | $71,612 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $134,000 | Between $55,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Panaya |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a game programmer and a software programmer in terms of educational background:
| Game Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between game programmers' and software programmers' demographics:
| Game Programmer | Software Programmer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% |
| 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, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 25.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |