Let’s face it—every gamer at some point has thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to make games for a living?” But the reality of being a game developer is a mix of passion, long hours, and… salary. One big factor in your potential paycheck? Whether you’re working at a small indie studio or a massive AAA game company.
TLDR:
Want to make more money? AAA studios usually pay higher salaries, especially for senior roles. But indie developers can have more creative freedom, flexible environments, and sometimes even stakes in the game’s success. Both paths have pros and cons. Your goals, passion, and lifestyle will help decide the better fit.
What’s the Difference Between Indie and AAA?
Before jumping into the numbers, let’s quickly define the two:
- Indie studios are small, often made up of just a few people. Think passion projects, quirky game ideas, and flexible work setups.
- AAA studios are the big leagues—hundreds of developers, million-dollar budgets, and massive game titles.
The size of the studio affects not just the games they make, but also how much they can pay their staff.
Salaries at AAA Studios
At AAA giants like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Activision, you’ll find full-time benefits, structured teams, and a clear career path. And yes—the paychecks are usually pretty sweet.
Let’s break it down:
- Junior Developer: $60,000 – $80,000 per year
- Mid-Level Developer: $80,000 – $110,000 per year
- Senior Developer: $110,000 – $140,000+ per year
- Lead Developer/Manager: $140,000 – $180,000+ per year
Bonus perks? Many AAA studios also offer:
- Performance bonuses
- Stock options (if it’s a public company)
- Paid overtime (sometimes)
- Health insurance, retirement plans, and more
Salaries at Indie Studios
Now let’s look at the indie game world. These small studios are where creativity blooms. Developers here often wear many hats—coding, testing, even doing art or marketing.
Here’s what indie dev salaries can look like:
- Junior Developer: $30,000 – $50,000 per year
- Mid-Level Developer: $50,000 – $75,000 per year
- Senior Developer: $75,000 – $100,000 per year
- Co-founder or Owner: May vary drastically depending on game success
Many indie studios are self-funded or rely on Kickstarter campaigns, so money can be tight. In some cases, early team members may even work for free or take lower salaries in exchange for revenue share later on.
But! If the game succeeds? Those modest beginnings might turn into very big paydays. Just ask the devs behind titles like Stardew Valley, Undertale, or Hollow Knight.
Work-Life Balance
Salary isn’t everything. Work-life balance plays a huge role in job satisfaction.
In AAA studios:
- There can be long hours during “crunch time” before a big release
- Larger teams may mean more specialized roles with less variety
- Structured environment, predictable tasks
In indie studios:
- More flexibility with hours and remote work options
- Freedom to try lots of different things (but more pressure too)
- Close-knit teams and passion-led projects
Some people love the fast-paced, high-stakes world of AAA. Others prefer the laid-back, creative freedom of indie.
The Creative Factor
One huge difference? Creative control.
AAA developers often work on small parts of massive projects. You might be designing trees for an open-world game for weeks. It’s important—but not always exciting.
In an indie studio, you might be:
- Writing story dialogue
- Designing enemies
- Building game maps
- Experimenting with new mechanics
All in one week!
You get to try new ideas and shape how the game turns out. That freedom can be rewarding beyond money.
Location Matters Too
Where you work changes how much you earn. Salaries in San Francisco or Seattle are higher than in smaller cities or countries with lower costs of living.
Some AAA jobs might require relocation. And many indie teams are remote now, hiring developers from around the world.
Here’s a rough idea of regional differences:
- USA (high cost cities): Higher salary range
- Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia: Lower average salaries, but also lower living costs
- Remote teams: Rates may adjust depending on location and project budget
Bonuses and Revenue Sharing
Some indie teams share profits. If you help make a hit game, you might get a big slice of the pie. That’s risky—but exciting.
AAA studios often offer bonuses based on company performance, which can be pretty hefty for large franchises like Call of Duty or FIFA.
Which Is Better?
There’s no right or wrong answer. It depends on what you want out of your career.
Choose AAA if you:
- Want stable pay and benefits
- Like working on huge titles that reach millions
- Prefer a structured environment
Choose Indie if you:
- Crave creative freedom
- Don’t mind financial risk
- Value flexibility and close collaboration
Final Thoughts
Being a game developer is a dream job for many. But like any career, it has trade-offs. Whether you chase the security of AAA or the passion of indie, remember: both can be rewarding paths.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the one that fits your style, your goals, and your passion for play.
Game on!
