How much does a Programmers, handheld games make

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  2. Programmers, handheld games
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Programmers, handheld games

55 800 kr

Developers in games and digital media

43 600 - 59 200 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Data/IT

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Programmers, handheld games

Average salary 55 800 kr
Males 56 600 kr
Females 53 100 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 16 Vacant jobs ->

What does a programmer in handheld games do? – Tasks and work environment

A programmer specializing in handheld games is responsible for developing and implementing software for games on portable devices such as handheld consoles and mobile platforms. Tasks include coding, testing, and optimizing game software to ensure good performance and user experience. The environment is often office-based and characterized by collaboration in cross-functional teams consisting of designers, graphic artists, and project managers. Flexible working hours and opportunities for remote work are common in the industry.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for programmers in handheld games have shown a clear upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 46,500 SEK per month, which increased to 54 500 SEK in 2023 and further to 55 800 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of about 20% during the period, with the largest jump occurring between 2022 and 2023. The salary development can be explained by increased demand for specialized developers in the gaming industry, especially focused on mobile and handheld platforms. Skill requirements have tightened as the market for handheld games expands, contributing to higher salaries. Technological advancements and the need for optimized solutions for different devices also drive salary pressures.

Programmers in handheld games often need strong creative problem-solving skills because technical limitations on small devices require innovative solutions to optimize the gaming experience.

– statsskuld.se

Programmer in handheld games salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 55 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 43,600 SEK (female with post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 59,200 SEK (male, private sector employee with post-secondary education of 3 years or more)
  • Hourly wage: 336 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Women earn on average 53 100 SEK, which is 94% of men's salary of 56 600 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data missing but salary levels may vary depending on region and company

Education and qualifications

The educational path for programmers in handheld games often involves higher education in computer science, game development, or similar fields. Practical experience with programming and game engines is important, and additional certifications can enhance competence.

  • Formal degrees: University or college education in computer science, game development, or software engineering, often 3 years or more
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in C++, Unity, Unreal Engine or similar game engines
  • Internships/traineeships: Internships in game development companies are valuable for experience
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of programming and mathematics
  • Self-study/online: Online courses and tutorials in game programming and optimization
  • Tips for choosing: Select programs with practical focus and opportunities to create your own game projects

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for programmers in handheld games include health allowances, flexible working hours, and remote work options. Companies often also offer training support and technical equipment. Bonuses and profit sharing occur in some companies, especially in private firms and startups.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by high competition, especially among recent graduates and self-taught programmers. Challenges include staying updated with rapidly changing technologies and gaming platforms. Workload can be high during deadlines and launches. Combining technical skills with creativity is essential for success. Additionally, teamwork skills are often required to meet the demands of game development processes.

Tips for aspiring programmers in handheld games

To succeed as a programmer in handheld games, it is good to develop both technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities. A careful and structured work style facilitates complex coding projects and bug fixes. It is important to be curious and constantly learn new programming languages and game engines to stay relevant in the industry. Collaboration skills are also central since projects are often team-driven. Finally, patience and perseverance are needed to handle iterations and optimizations common in game development.

Key facts about programmers in handheld games

  • Educational level: Post-secondary education, often at least 3 years
  • Salary range: 43,600–59,200 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Office-based with remote work options
  • Gender differences: Women earn 94% of men's salary
  • Demand: Stable with 179 job openings in related professions

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, a programmer in handheld games can advance to senior developer, technical project manager, or specialize in graphics programming or AI. Opportunities also exist to transition to other platforms such as PC or console games. The employment agency's forecasts lack specific assessment for handheld games but show that developers in gaming and digital media generally have a stable job market with continued demand for skills in the area. Technological development and increased digitalization contribute to positive future prospects.

Common questions about programmers in handheld games

  • What is the average salary of a programmer in handheld games?
    - The average salary is approximately 55 800 SEK per month.
  • Are there large salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 94% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What education is required to become a programmer in handheld games?
    - Typically, a higher education in computer science or game development of at least 3 years is required.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - The profession has stable demand with several job openings in related fields, but specific forecasts are lacking.
  • Can you work from home as a programmer in handheld games?
    - Yes, remote work is common in the industry.
  • What personal qualities are important in the profession?
    - Creativity, patience, and teamwork skills are important qualities for success.
  • What technical skills should one have?
    - Knowledge of C++, Unity or Unreal Engine is often in demand.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-04 04:23:15

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Programmers, handheld games is 59200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 58200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Programmers, handheld games is 43600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 47100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 105% 49500 kr 50200 kr
35-44 94% 58500 kr 59600 kr
45-54 64500 kr 65500 kr
55-64 59300 kr 60000 kr
Snitt 94% 54900 kr 55800 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 Programmers, handheld games has the SSYK code 2513, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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