ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $18/hr

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

AGS

Software Engineer - Game Dev

Atlanta, GA · On-site

This is an entry-level engineering role ideal for someone eager to grow their skills while contributing to high-quality slot game experiences. We are actively seeking candidates who use AI-assisted ...

AGS LLC

Software Engineer - Game Dev

Atlanta, GA

This is an entry-level engineering role ideal for someone eager to grow their skills while contributing to high-quality slot game experiences. We are actively seeking candidates who use AI-assisted ...

AGS LLC

Software Engineer - Game Dev

Atlanta, GA · On-site

This is an entry-level engineering role ideal for someone eager to grow their skills while contributing to high-quality slot game experiences. We are actively seeking candidates who use AI-assisted ...

Hardin Design

Web Developer - Entry Level

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$55K - $70K/yr

This is an entry-level web developer position at Hardin Design & Development. The pay range for ... casual dress code, game room, and a large open office right in the heart of Madison's East ...

Hardin Design

Web Developer - Entry Level

Madison, WI · On-site +1

This is an entry-level web developer position at Hardin Design & Development. The pay range for ... casual dress code, game room, and a large open office right in the heart of Madison's East ...

Hardin Design

Web Developer - Entry Level

Madison, WI · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

This is an entry-level web developer position at Hardin Design & Development. The pay range for ... casual dress code, game room, and a large open office right in the heart of Madison's East ...

Magnus Technology Solutions

Be Seen First

junior .NET developer

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Freshers and candidates with internship, academic project, or entry-level experience are encouraged ... We have helped so far hundreds of businesses in the software, gaming, hospitality, energy ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEntry Level Game Developer Jobs

Entry Level Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do entry level game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level game developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is 30 too old to get into game dev?

Entry level game developers come from diverse backgrounds and ages, and starting at 30 is not too late. Success depends on acquiring relevant skills such as programming, design, or art, and building a portfolio to demonstrate your abilities. Many employers value experience and passion over age, making it possible to enter the field at any age with dedication.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level game developers when working on their first projects?

Entry level game developers often encounter challenges such as balancing creative ideas with technical limitations, adapting to collaborative workflows, and managing tight deadlines. Learning to navigate large codebases, understanding version control systems, and effectively communicating with designers, artists, and senior programmers are key aspects of the role. Overcoming these hurdles requires a willingness to learn, ask questions, and seek feedback from teammates, which helps foster both technical and interpersonal growth within a supportive game development environment.

What Does an Entry-Level Game Developer Do?

As an entry-level game developer, your responsibilities revolve around programming the algorithms and code that control video games. Your duties are to develop action sequences in games, graphical user interfaces, and other basic tools that allow seamless gameplay. You must be conscious of console or computer requirements, such as memory usage and graphics chip limitations, and you should be able to identify and fix glitches in the game quickly. You work closely with other programmers and QA testers to ensure that you deal with these issues systematically.

What is the 80 20 rule in game development?

In game development, the 80/20 rule suggests that roughly 80% of the game's value comes from 20% of the features or work. Entry level game developers often focus on core mechanics and essential assets first to maximize impact and efficiency during development cycles.

Is AI replacing game devs?

AI is increasingly used in game development to assist with tasks like procedural content generation and testing, but it does not replace entry level game developers. Developers are needed to design, program, and oversee AI tools, ensuring creative and technical quality. Skills in programming, game engines, and AI integration remain essential for game development roles.

What is the difference between Entry Level Game Developer vs Junior Game Programmer?

AspectEntry Level Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related fieldBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentGame studios, indie developers, or freelance projectsGame development teams, software companies, or indie studios
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in gaming industry for entry rolesOften used interchangeably with Entry Level Game Developer in job listings
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in a related field and involve working in game development environments. While the titles may differ slightly, they often refer to similar entry-level positions focused on coding, debugging, and supporting game projects. The main difference lies in terminology preference among employers, but both roles serve as starting points for a career in game programming.

What does an Entry Level Game Developer do?

An Entry Level Game Developer assists in the creation and implementation of video games by writing code, debugging, and collaborating with other team members such as artists and designers. They typically work under the supervision of senior developers and are often responsible for smaller features or specific tasks within a larger project. Their work may include programming gameplay mechanics, fixing bugs, and learning new tools and technologies used in game development. This role is an excellent starting point for those looking to gain experience and grow within the gaming industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Game Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Game Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages like C++ or C#, basic game design principles, and typically a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and basic graphic or animation tools is highly beneficial. Creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills that help you collaborate and adapt in dynamic development environments. These skills ensure you can efficiently contribute to game projects, meet technical requirements, and work well within multidisciplinary teams.

How to be a game developer with no experience?

Entry level game developers typically start by learning programming languages such as C# or C++, and gaining familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. Building a portfolio with small projects, participating in game jams, and pursuing online courses or certifications can help demonstrate skills to employers without prior professional experience.
More about Entry Level Game Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Game Developer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Game Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs? The most popular types of Game Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Game Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Game Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Game Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Game Developer jobs are:
Entry Level Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Game Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
Video Game Tester - QA (OnCall Contract)

Video Game Tester - QA (OnCall Contract)

Side

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

Job Overview:

We are dedicated to empowering our clients in the gaming sector in the Charleston, South Carolina area. If you are a passionate gamer seeking to make your mark in the gaming industry, we invite you to apply.

We are currently in the process of building a team of full-time, entry-level Game Testers for a gaming studio located in Charleston, South Carolina, to better serve our gaming clients in an oncall capacity.

Apply