What does a Game Designer earn?

A game designer has an average salary of 47,700 SEK per month, but the salary can vary depending on experience, education, and employer.

What is required to become a Game Designer?

Post-secondary education in game design or digital media, along with a strong portfolio and practical experience, are typically necessary.

Are there salary differences between men and women?

Yes, women earn on average 91% of what men do within the profession.

What does the job market look like for a Game Designer?

There are approximately 620 job openings in the profession, but competition for attractive positions is high.

What are the typical tasks of a Game Designer?

Common tasks include developing game ideas, creating game mechanics, and collaborating with other specialists in project teams.

What education is recommended?

Higher education in game design, digital media, or related fields, along with supplementary courses and internships.

Is remote work possible?

Yes, the possibility of remote work is increasing, especially with larger or international employers.

Designer, game salary

47 700 SEK

Designers in games and digital media

Latest available salary statistics are for 2024. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

41 600 - 52 300 SEK / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

Average salary 47 700 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 41 600 - 52 300 SEK Latest available range Data year 2024 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a Game Designer do? – Tasks and Work Environment Salary development over time Game Designer salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Designer, game

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What does a Game Designer do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A game and digital media designer works on developing and designing game experiences, from concept to finished product. Tasks often include concept development, game design, interaction design, creating game mechanics, and balancing different elements within the game. The work is carried out in close collaboration with programmers, artists, and sound designers, making communication skills central. The work is often project-based, involving rapid changes, iterations, and testing. The work environment is usually office-based, but opportunities for remote work exist, especially within larger game studios and international companies.

Salary development over time

Salaries for game and digital media designers have shown some variation in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 46,800 SEK per month, while in 2023 it slightly decreased to 45 700. However, in 2024, the salary has risen again to 47 700, representing an increase of approximately 4.4 percent compared to the previous year. This development reflects an increased demand for qualified game developers, while skill requirements are becoming higher. Fluctuations may also be due to changes in the gaming industry and competition for talent, with larger companies offering higher salaries to retain experienced designers. The recent year's salary increase can partly be attributed to digital transformation and a growing gaming market both nationally and internationally.

Game Designer salary – comprehensive overview

Average salary: 47 700 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK (men), 42,100 SEK (women)
Highest salary: 52,300 SEK (men), 44,900 SEK (women)
Hourly wage: 287 SEK
Gender differences: Women earn 91% of what men do (44 500 SEK vs. 49 000 SEK)
Regional differences: Specific regional differences are lacking, but variations may occur depending on location and company size.

Education and qualifications

To work as a game designer, a post-secondary education in game design, digital media, or related creative fields is usually required. Many employers value practical experience and project portfolios highly, and it’s common to combine formal education with self-study and internships. The industry is fast-changing, making continuous skills development and adaptability important qualities.

Post-secondary education: For example, a university degree in game design (3 years or more)
Courses and certifications: Specialized courses in game design, UX, graphics
Internships/Trainee programs: Internships or trainee programs at game studios
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of design principles and digital tools
Self-study/Online: Online courses, tutorials, and participation in game jams
Tips for choosing: A strong portfolio and experience from personal game projects are highly valuable

Many game designers regularly participate in “game jams” – intensive competitions where small teams create game prototypes in just a few days. These events are not only a way to build a portfolio but also an excellent networking opportunity and a chance to quickly test new ideas.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Game industry designers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work options, and access to modern work tools. Other common compensations include bonus programs, skills development, and sometimes profit sharing, especially at larger studios. Employers also emphasize creating a creative and inclusive work environment where employees participate in training and industry events.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Game Designer in the digital media industry is intense, especially in larger cities and at leading studios. The industry is characterized by high demands for technical and creative skills, and work samples and portfolios often determine hiring decisions. Rapid technological development requires ongoing education and adaptation to new tools and methods. Challenges may also include project-based employment and periods of high workload, especially before launches. Despite this, the profession attracts many due to the opportunity to realize personal ideas and work in international teams.

Tips for aspiring Game Designers

To succeed as a game designer, it’s good to combine creativity with technical understanding and strong collaboration skills. Building a solid portfolio through personal projects and participation in game jams demonstrates initiative and drive. Curiosity and willingness to learn new tools and techniques facilitate keeping up with industry developments. Good communication skills ease collaboration in cross-functional teams where ideas and feedback are exchanged continuously. It’s also important to be persistent and solution-oriented, as game development often involves many revisions and challenges before the final product. Networking and building relationships in the industry can open doors to new opportunities and projects. Finally, a structured working approach is appreciated, especially when balancing creative freedom with project requirements and deadlines.

Key facts about Game Designer

Educational level: Post-secondary education (at least 3 years)
Work environment: Office-based, often project-oriented
Work form: Usually full-time, sometimes remote work
Demand: Approximately 620 job openings in 2024
Gender distribution: Women earn 91% of men’s salary

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a game designer can advance to roles such as Lead Designer, Game Producer, or take responsibility for larger parts of the development process. Experienced designers often specialize in areas like game systems, narrative design, or user experience (UX). According to the Employment Service, there is no precise forecast for this profession due to limited data, but ongoing digitalization and industry growth indicate good future prospects. The number of job openings in the group is 620, showing a certain demand, although competition for attractive positions is high. New technologies and international collaborations also open up more career opportunities and possibilities to work globally.

Frequently asked questions about Game Designer

What does a Game Designer earn?
- A game designer has an average salary of 47 700 SEK per month, but this can vary depending on experience, education, and employer.
What is required to become a Game Designer?
- Post-secondary education in game design or digital media, along with a strong portfolio and practical experience, are usually necessary.
Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 91% of what men do within the profession.
What does the job market look like for a Game Designer?
- There are approximately 620 job openings, but competition for attractive positions is high.
What are the typical tasks of a Game Designer?
- Developing game ideas, creating game mechanics, and collaborating with other specialists in project teams.
What education is recommended?
- Higher education in game design, digital media, or related fields, along with supplementary courses and internships.
Is remote work possible?
- Yes, the possibility of remote work is increasing, especially with larger or international employers.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 17:04:28

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	45100 kr	45300 kr
35-44	93%	54100 kr	54400 kr
45-54		57800 kr	58200 kr
Snitt	91%	47500 kr	47700 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	39400 kr	39400 kr
45-54	46200 kr	46300 kr
Snitt	44300 kr	44300 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	39400 kr	39400 kr
45-54	46200 kr	46300 kr
Snitt	44300 kr	44300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	45100 kr	45300 kr
35-44	92%	54200 kr	54400 kr
45-54		57900 kr	58300 kr
Snitt	91%	47500 kr	47700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	45100 kr	45300 kr
35-44	92%	54200 kr	54400 kr
45-54		57900 kr	58300 kr
Snitt	91%	47500 kr	47700 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	47400 kr	47600 kr
35-44	93%	55300 kr	55400 kr
45-54		57200 kr	57500 kr
Snitt	91%	48800 kr	49000 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	39400 kr	39400 kr
45-54	46200 kr	46300 kr
Snitt	43300 kr	43300 kr

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	39400 kr	39400 kr
45-54	46200 kr	46300 kr
Snitt	43300 kr	43300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	47400 kr	47600 kr
35-44	92%	55300 kr	55500 kr
45-54		57300 kr	57700 kr
Snitt	91%	48800 kr	49000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	47400 kr	47600 kr
35-44	92%	55300 kr	55500 kr
45-54		57300 kr	57700 kr
Snitt	91%	48800 kr	49000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	40800 kr	41000 kr
35-44	93%	50900 kr	51300 kr
Snitt	91%	44200 kr	44500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	40800 kr	41000 kr
35-44	92%	50900 kr	51300 kr
Snitt	91%	44200 kr	44500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	86%	40800 kr	41000 kr
35-44	92%	50900 kr	51300 kr
Snitt	91%	44200 kr	44500 kr

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

Salary per sector

Salary based on education

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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Designer, game has the SSYK code 2173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.