8 of the Best Types of Game Designer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Game Designer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Game Designer Jobs

• Entry Level Game Designer

  Salary range: $155,000 - $155,000

  The qualifications needed to get an entry-level game design job include a degree and, despite being entry-level, some prior experience in the video game industry. You can attend design school to earn a degree in game design, video game art, or programming, or you can pursue a degree in computer science, art, or media production at a traditional university. Employers value experience in the video game industry, so you should undertake an internship to start learning the responsibilities and required skills of game designers before you graduate. You should document your work in a portfolio of projects to show to prospective employers, especially highlighting any leadership roles you assumed.

• Summer Game Designer

  Salary range: $155,000 - $155,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Trainee Game Designer

  Salary range: $155,000 - $155,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• On Call Game Designer

  Salary range: $155,000 - $155,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Senior Game Designer

  Salary range: $107,000 - $150,000

  Senior Game Designer is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Game Designer jobs pay between $107,000 (25th percentile) and $150,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Game Designer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Game Designer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Junior Game Designer

  Salary range: $45,500 - $65,500

  Junior Game Designer is a common job search query. Most salaries for Junior Game Designer jobs pay between $45,500 (25th percentile) and $65,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Junior Game Designer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Internship Game Designer

  Salary range: $30,000 - $40,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.