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Tabletop Game Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Moose Toys

Senior Product Designer - Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$105K - $110K/yr

Qualifications: • 5 + years of Tabletop Game development experience preferred. • Bachelor's degree is preferred but not required. • Experience of working on licensed items preferred but not ...

Exploding Kittens

Principal Game Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... of tabletop game design/development experience or equivalent expertise. > * Proven track record of developing successful and commercially viable mass retail party games. > * Deep understanding of ...

Dogpatch Games

Kids Summer Camp Staff

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Our summer camp serves ages 8-14, runs in 7 one-week sessions, and includes a mix of tabletop gaming, with board games as a major part of camp and Dungeons & Dragons as a key afternoon activity. Camp ...

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How much do tabletop game jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for tabletop game in California is $20.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $23.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Tabletop Game Jobs?

Tabletop game jobs include numerous positions in the gaming and entertainment companies that manufacture a variety of toys, board games, and other tabletop gaming products for children and adults. Jobs include design positions, such as board game designers and product design engineers, manufacturing jobs, and retail and wholesale jobs. Your specific duties depend largely on your position. You may have more conceptual responsibilities, such as designing board game or role-playing game rules, or you may have more technical tasks, such as designing the physical products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tabletop Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tabletop Game Designer, you need a strong understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and playtesting, typically backed by experience in game development or a related field. Familiarity with prototyping tools, design software like Adobe Creative Suite, and knowledge of industry-standard publishing processes are commonly required. Creativity, collaboration, and communication skills help designers generate unique concepts and work effectively with teams and playtesters. These abilities are crucial for creating engaging, marketable games that provide enjoyable player experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by tabletop game designers when working on new projects?

Tabletop game designers often encounter challenges such as balancing game mechanics to ensure fairness and fun, managing playtesting feedback effectively, and working within production constraints like budgets and timelines. Collaboration with illustrators, writers, and publishers is common, requiring strong communication and adaptability. Staying updated with industry trends and player preferences is key to creating engaging and marketable games, making research and ongoing learning a regular part of the role.

What are tabletop games?

Tabletop games are games that are typically played on a flat surface, such as a table, and include board games, card games, dice games, and role-playing games. These games often involve two or more players and can range from simple, chance-based games to complex strategy games. Tabletop games are enjoyed for their social interaction, critical thinking, and entertainment value. They have a long history and continue to evolve with new designs and play styles.

What is the difference between Tabletop Game vs Game Designer?

AspectTabletop GameGame Designer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of game rules, mechanics, and storytelling; often self-taught or through specialized coursesDegree in game design, computer science, or related fields; portfolio of game projects
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, hobbyist groups, or self-employed; often collaborative and creativeDesign studios, tech companies, or freelance; involves brainstorming, prototyping, and testing
Industry UsageDevelops physical or digital tabletop games for entertainmentCreates game concepts, rules, and mechanics for various platforms, including tabletop

While a tabletop game creator focuses on designing and developing physical or digital tabletop games, a game designer has a broader role that includes designing games across multiple platforms, including digital and tabletop. Both roles require creativity and understanding of game mechanics, but game designers often have formal education and work in more diverse environments.

More about Tabletop Game jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Tabletop Game jobs in California? The most popular types of Tabletop Game jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Tabletop Game jobs in California? For Tabletop Game jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tabletop Game jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Tabletop Game jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Tabletop Game jobs? Cities in California with the most Tabletop Game job openings:
Tabletop Game jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tabletop Game job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Summer. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,990 per year, or $20.7 per hour.
Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$167K/yr

Full-time

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

Job description

Job Summary:
Riot Games is seeking a Senior Game Designer III for their game Riftbound, where you will design and optimize player experiences. The role involves collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to create engaging gameplay through card rules and mechanics, while also providing mentorship to junior team members.
Responsibilities:
• Understand the relevant audiences for the game, and from this, calibrate your design expertise to reflect appropriate taste for these audiences
• Use data and sense-making to identify opportunities to improve the health of the game through cards
• Articulate and consider a scope and depth of possible solutions, including possible effects, and collaboratively reach the best solution
• Evaluate and improve rules across the game’s design and execution, especially understanding the multiple ways the game will be played by players
• Improve existing design frameworks, our approaches to design, and create new ones
• Openly share work and seek feedback from other developers, while combine co-worker and player feedback to calibrate design direction
• Provide mentorship to more junior members of the design team
Qualifications:
Required:
• 4+ years experience as a game designer and/or tabletop game rules manager
• Demonstrated experience working on rules for tabletop games
• Broad mechanics and content design ability
Preferred:
• Knowledge of CCGs and their features
• Experience playing or judging in CCGs
• Experience working with or playing PvP strategy games
• Experience developing a competitive or multiplayer game
Company:
Riot Games is a global company that develops online games. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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