The majority of game developers do not enter the interactive entertainment industry to make bank. Most do it for the love of "play". Considering how big the games industry is today (three commas worth), isn't it odd that not one developer is making a $20,000,000 paycheck per game? Where are the Johnny Depp / Julia Robert equivalents of the games world? If the industry's going Hollywood, then why not really go Hollywood? Did I just say that aloud? Apologies.
Game Developer released its 5th Annual Salary Survey. Following are salaries of game industry personnel with between three to six years of employment:
PROGRAMMINGTechnical Director: $104,738
Lead Programmer: $81,591
Programmer / Engineer: $73, 618ART and ANIMATION
Art Director: $65,313
Lead Artist: $68,112
Artist: $61,065GAME DESIGN
Creative Director: $72,125
Writer: $61,000
Game Designer: $54,777
PRODUCTIONProducer: $66,375
Executive Producer (all with more than six years experience): $127, 375QUALITY ASSURANCE
QA Lead: $43,125
Tester: $29,722AUDIO
Audio Director: $62,206
Composer: $60,093BUSINESS AND LEGAL
Marketing: $76,667
Admin: $81,765
Executive: $106,590