UK games development salaries on the rise

Salaries at games development firms in the UK are on the rise according to the latest data compiled by Develop and sister magazine MCV from data supplied taken from leading industry sources.

According to our calculations, which canvassed recruitment firms and leading studios in the UK, the average salaries for artists, designers and producers have risen in the past 12 months – with some senior level producer and designer roles now commanding up to £10,000 per annum more than they did a year ago.

Meanwhile wages for programmers have also risen, although not as significantly as the other disciplines.

Plus, good news for new comers or those looking to enter the indusry: the average wage for junior or entry level roles has risen across the board, regardless of discipline to £18,000 PA.

The latest pay figure averages have been printed in the latest issue of MCV, available to download here. We’ve reproduced the listing below (with comparisons to average salaries the year previously, as printed in the February 2007 issue of Develop, given in brackets).

SALARY SURVEY – AVERAGE WAGE PER ANNUM

Producer
Junior producer – £18,000 to £27,000 (2007: £17,000 to £25,000)
Regular producer – £28,000 to £40,000 (2007: £25,000 to £36,000)
Senior producer – £35,000 to £60,000 (2007: £35,000 to £60,000)
Executive Producer – £45,000 to £80,000 (2007: NA)

Artist
Junior artist – £18,000 to £21,000 (2007: £18,000 to £21,000)
Regular artist – £20,000 to £27,000 (2007: £20,000 to £26,000)
Senior artist – £27,000 to £35,000 (2007: £27,000 to £35,000)
Lead artist – £38,000 to £55,000 (2007: £30,000 to £50,000)

Designer
Junior designer – £18,000 to £21,000 (2007: £15,000 to £21,000)
Regular designer – £20,000 to £28,000 (2007: £18,000 to £26,000)
Senior designer – £25,000 to £35,000 (2007: £25,000 to £32,000)
Lead designer – £38,000 to £55,000 (2007: £30,000 to £40,000)

Programmer
Junior programmer – £18,000 to £25,000 (2007: £17,000 to £25,000)
Regular programmer – £20,000 to £35,000 (2007: £21,000 to £35,000)
Senior programmer – £35,000 to £50,000 (2007: £32,000 to £40,000)
Lead programmer – £40,000 to £60,000 (2007: £40,000 to £60,000)