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Entry Level Game Programmer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

New

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 ...

New

Faith Technologies

Electrician

Little Chute, WI

Cares about leading the way in construction, engineering, manufacturing and renewable energy. Cares ... Benefits are the Game-Changer We provide industry-leading benefits as an investment in the lives of ...

Faithtechnologies

Electrician

Little Chute, WI

Cares about leading the way in construction, engineering, manufacturing and renewable energy. Cares ... Benefits are the Game-Changer We provide industry-leading benefits as an investment in the lives of ...

Faithtechnologies

Electrician

Little Chute, WI

Cares about leading the way in construction, engineering, manufacturing and renewable energy. Cares ... Benefits are the Game-Changer We provide industry-leading benefits as an investment in the lives of ...

All JobsGame Programmer JobsEntry Level Game Programmer JobsEntry Level Game Programmer Jobs in Wisconsin

Entry Level Game Programmer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$11.1K

$93.5K

$175.1K

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

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level game programmer in Wisconsin is $93,502.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24,200.00 and $146,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level game programmer do?

An entry-level game programmer works to develop application code for video games. Your duties in this career include coding different complex sequences and algorithms that can adapt to video game design. You can choose to work in a specialty of video game programming, such as graphics, network creation, artificial intelligence, or building the user interface. You take the design team’s ideas and assist them in bringing the content to life in a way that a computer understands. Other responsibilities may include trying out a prototype, testing the software for bugs and code errors once the team completes it, communicating with the designers, artists, and writers, and helping to integrate functions into the game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level game programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Game Programmer, you need a solid grasp of programming languages such as C++ or C#, basic game development principles, and often a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine and version control systems such as Git is commonly expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with designers and artists. These combined skills enable you to contribute efficiently to game development projects, troubleshoot issues, and work productively within multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges entry level game programmers face when starting out, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level game programmers often encounter challenges such as adapting to large codebases, understanding existing game engines, and collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams. It can be overwhelming to navigate legacy code or pick up new tools quickly. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to ask questions, seek mentorship from senior developers, and actively participate in code reviews. Building strong communication skills and regularly studying project documentation also play a key role in ensuring a smooth transition into professional game development.

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

AspectEntry Level Game ProgrammerJunior Game Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Programming skillsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, basic programming knowledge
Work EnvironmentGame studios, software companiesGame studios, tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in gaming industry for entry rolesUsed interchangeably in gaming and software development
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level programming roles in gamingExploring junior development positions in game development

Entry Level Game Programmers and Junior Game Developers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, the term 'Entry Level Game Programmer' typically emphasizes programming skills specifically for game development, while 'Junior Game Developer' may include broader responsibilities like design and testing. Both roles serve as starting points in the gaming industry, with overlapping skills but slightly different focus areas.

Is it hard to get a job as an entry level game programmer?

Entry level game programmers typically need a strong foundation in programming languages like C++ or C#, along with knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal. Competition can be high, but building a portfolio with personal projects or internships can improve chances of securing an entry-level position.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Game Programmer jobs in Wisconsin?

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For Entry Level Game Programmer jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Entry Level Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Game Programmer job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,502 per year, or $45 per hour.

Web Developer - Entry Level

Hardin Design

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

$55K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Company Description

At Hardin Design & Development, we are passionate about creating awesome software, web applications and mobile for our customers. We work with everyone, from startups to the Fortune 500 companies, and take the same degree of pride in our work no matter the client. Our designers create elegant, easy to use interfaces and our developers bring cutting edge expertise to our projects, with an eye for quality, security and bug-free code.
 

We'd love for you to check out some of our favorite projects featured in our portfolio and read about how we've helped our clients accomplish their technology goals. Visit our website at www.hardindd.com and apply to join the Hardin Team today

Job Description

ON SITE ONLY. Our company is open to hybrid models and remote work with trusted long term employees, but new hires must start out working from our Madison office.

This is an entry-level web developer position at Hardin Design & Development. The pay range for this role is between $55,000 to $70,000 annually.

From the top down, our staff adapt quickly and confidently "wear a lot of hats", and we highly value that in potential new team members.  We believe strongly in choosing the right tool for the job, so our projects can vary widely in the tech stacks we use. We're looking for individuals with diverse skill sets that share our passion for learning, growing, and making new things work.

We believe that the best way to grow as developers is by tackling new experiences head-on, and our staff, past and present, can attest to that.  Even as an entry-level position, you'll be expected to fully participate in all aspects of the development process. Responsibilities include web application design and development, daily interaction with clients, and application planning and implementation.

As a full-time (40 hr/wk) position, we are proud to offer an in-network POS healthcare plan with minimum co-pays through Quartz as well as a retirement package. As multiple time winners of Madison Magazine's Best Places to Work Award, we also offer an easy-going work atmosphere with a casual dress code, game room, and a large open office right in the heart of Madison's East Washington corridor. There is also the opportunity for career advancement within the company.

Qualifications

A college degree in computer science or related field is preferred, but not required. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are needed to perform the tasks of this position will also be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A solid base-level understanding of basic algorithms and data structures, as well as how to implement/use them is required.  A good candidate should also have in-depth proficiency in one or more programing languages.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with proficiency in relevant languages and technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, etc.  The ability to run and maintain at least one common web application stack (such as LAMP) as well as a background working with relational databases (SQL) is also desired, but not strictly required.
  • The project we are hiring for has a tech stack of PHP and React, knowledge of both is a major plus

Bonus Qualifications:

While not strict requirements for this role, we consider it a plus if a candidate has experience in the following:

  • Experience maintaining infrastructure hosted by Amazon Web Services or a similar cloud provider is a plus. 
  • Strong consideration will be given to candidates with experience working with any common front-end frameworks (ReactJS, VueJS, Angular, etc.) or back-end frameworks (Laravel, Symfony, Express in Node.js, Django in Python, etc.).
  • Experience with CI/CD solutions.
  • Experience with Docker
  • Design, browser compatibility, a demonstration of strong technical proficiency, breadth of knowledge, the ability to learn quickly, and a strong desire to grow as a developer.
Additional Information

Unfortunately, at this time we cannot provide Visa sponsorship. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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