If you are mad about games and you’re studying Game Design, you probably want to know about your potential future earnings.
Entry-level salaries in game design vary based on the company size, experience level, education, location, and specialisation. Larger tech-driven companies tend to offer higher starting pay, while smaller studios may offer more creative freedom but lower entry salaries.
Today’s article looks at starting salaries in the field of game design and overall game design income, so you know what to expect as a new designer.
Starting Salaries for Game Designers in Europe and Germany
It is estimated that by 2030, the global game market will exceed a value of over €400 billion. Germany ranks in the top 5 markets in the world by gaming revenue and is expected to grow in the next couple of years.
Across Europe, starting salaries for entry-level junior game designers are around €25,000 to €40,000 annually, depending on the company and location. The typical salary for game designer roles in Germany is slightly higher, from €35,000 to €45,000 per year in major hubs like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich. Countries like the UK, France, and Spain are slightly lower; however, bigger studios may offer higher pay due to cost-of-living adjustments.
The route to your dream job
If you’re passionate about developing games, there are two ways you can pursue your dream career: you can either complete an unpaid vocational training program or study Game Design. With a vocational training qualification, you can expect to earn a starting salary of between 2000 and 2800 euro gross per month (Aubi-Plus.de). With a bachelor’s degree under your belt, your starting salary will be around 3000 euros gross per month (myStipendium.de), so studying really makes a difference.
Entry-Level vs. Senior Game Designer: Salary Progression
A game designer’s income will typically progress from junior to senior roles with a chance to explore different specialisations or move into leadership roles. Progression is driven by technical depth, shipped projects, and your ability to take ownership of larger gameplay systems. Many designers branch out into specialised paths in areas such as systems design, technical design, narrative design, or management and production roles.
| Level | Europe (EUR) |
| Junior Game Developer | €40,000 – €55,000 |
| Game Developer | €55,000 – €75,000 |
| Senior Game Developer | €75,000 – €95,000 |
| Lead Game Developer | €95,000 – €120,000 |
| Technical Director | €120,000 – €150,000 |
Source: White carrot
Skills & Qualifications That Boost Your Game Designer Salary
Having strong technical skills and a solid portfolio will have the biggest impact on early game designer salary in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Those with C++ knowledge and the ability to prototype gameplay quickly can push the starting salary even higher. Designers with skills in monetisation, accessibility, and cross-platform optimisation can earn at least 25 – 30% more than a basic design level.
Core skills that drive a higher game design salary
- Game Engines: Unity or Unreal Engine – especially for AR/VR platforms.
- Monetisation Strategy: Implementing in-app purchases or ad integration.
- UX Design & Accessibility: Intuitive user interface and WCAG compliance.
- Data Analytics: Utilising data and analysing behaviour, issues, and design decisions.
- Production Awareness: Understanding pipelines, sprint planning, and cross-team communication.
Qualifications that can raise salary potential
- A Game Design or related technical degree leads to higher starting ranges than vocational training.
- A portfolio with completed playable prototypes matters more than certifications.
- Specialised experience in different narratives, systems, or technical designs opens more pathways to higher brackets early in your career.
Conclusion
As the gaming industry continues to rise, game designers remain essential to delivering immersive, monetisable, and play-focused experiences. Germany and Europe offer stable entry ranges, with clear progression into mid- and senior-level roles. Technical designers or game developers with strong engine skills can start as high as €50,000, contributing to a competitive game designer salary in Europe. For students aiming to enter the industry, structured training, staying on top of trends, and hands-on project experience remain the most reliable paths to higher earning potential.
If you are still looking for a place to study, you can find out all you need to know about our Game Design bachelor’s programme or apply now for next semester.