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Games Programmer Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Templar Media

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$125K - $139K/yr

As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our own ... Templar offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package and a professional but non ...

Netflix

OR · On-site

$388K - $558K/yr

The Games Experiences Platform team is the core integration layer between game developers, players ... Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about ...

Thatgamecompany

Gameplay Engineer

$105K - $133K/yr

Mobile games We look forward to meeting you! Perks: • Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Two Weeks ... This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company ...

thatgamecompany

Gameplay Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$105K - $133K/yr

Mobile games We look forward to meeting you! Perks: • Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Two Weeks ... This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company ...

Netflix

Senior Test Engineer (L5), iOS Games SDK

$143K/yr

The Role The Games SDK team is responsible for the SDK libraries that game developers use to access ... You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To ...

Stardock Corporation

Senior Game Developer

Plymouth, MI

$120K - $160K/yr

... games. This is a salaried, full-time position at our Plymouth, Michigan office and relocation ... Mentor and collaborate with other developers in a team environment. * Work closely with Design ...

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Games Programmer Salary information

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How much do games programmer salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for games programmer salary in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Games Programmer Salary vs Game Developer Salary?

AspectGames Programmer SalaryGame Developer Salary
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, programming skillsBachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related field, programming skills
Work EnvironmentGame studios, software companies, independent projectsGame studios, software companies, freelance or independent work
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming industry, tech companiesGaming industry, entertainment, tech companies

Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and programming skills, but game developers typically have broader responsibilities including design and project management, while games programmers focus more on coding and technical implementation. Salary differences reflect these roles' scope and specialization within the gaming industry.

What cities are hiring for Games Programmer Salary jobs? Cities with the most Games Programmer Salary job openings:
What states have the most Games Programmer Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Games Programmer Salary jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Games Programmer Salary jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Games Programmer Salary jobs are:
Games Programmer Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Games Programmer Salary job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 61% Physical, and 39% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,234 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Templar Media

Alpharetta, GA • On-site

$125K - $139K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Templar: As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our own schedule. We are actively staffing up for both in-house game development and supporting published titles. Templar provides a professional yet non-corporate environment where every team member's input and collaboration matters. Based in Alpharetta, GA just north of Atlanta, Templar is in the perfect area for those that enjoy sunny weather and a relatively low cost of living.
About the Role: As a Lead Gameplay Programmer at Templar Media, you'll be responsible for driving the technical vision and execution of gameplay systems across our projects. You'll work closely with design and art leadership to prototype, build, and refine the systems that define how players interact with our worlds.
This role combines hands-on development with mentorship and team coordination; perfect for someone who thrives on solving complex problems, empowering others, and ensuring the gameplay codebase is robust, scalable, and high-performing. The ideal candidate has deep Unreal Engine experience, a love of great gameplay, and a passion for guiding teams toward technical and creative excellence.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead and execute the development of core gameplay systems from concept through launch and live support.
  • Collaborate with design and art teams to define and refine player experiences.
  • Establish best practices for gameplay architecture, performance, and code quality.
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to gameplay programmers.
  • Oversee feature implementation, ensuring consistency, scalability, and maintainability.
  • Review and optimize existing code for efficiency, performance, and clarity.
  • Work with production to plan and prioritize gameplay development tasks.
  • Identify technical risks early and propose effective solutions.
  • Contribute to the overall technical roadmap of the project.
  • Foster a collaborative and positive work environment focused on quality and innovation.

Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of professional programming experience, with at least 3 years in gameplay-focused roles.
  • Strong expertise with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, including deep understanding of gameplay frameworks.
  • Proficiency in C++ with strong debugging and optimization skills.
  • Experience shipping at least one AA or AAA title.
  • Solid understanding of 3D math, physics, animation integration, and player systems.
  • Proven ability to architect, implement, and maintain large gameplay systems.
  • Experience mentoring or leading other engineers.
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Passion for collaboration and helping bring creative ideas to life through technology.

Preference to Applicants With:
  • Experience with open-world or co-op game systems.
  • Strong knowledge of Unreal's animation, AI, and input systems.
  • A deeper understanding of game AI and NPC behaviors.
  • Familiarity with mission, quest, or dialogue systems.
  • Experience with combat and stealth mechanics
  • Experience with console development and optimization.
  • Comfort working with complex, legacy, or third-party codebases.
  • A love for games; particularly open-world action-adventure and cooperative experiences.

Templar offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package and a professional but non-corporate environment. This position is full-time onsite/remote at our studio in Alpharetta, GA.

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