Video Game Designer Salary Overview in Los Angeles, CA
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Video Game Designer pay in Los Angeles, CA at about $116,440 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $55,100.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $197,560.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Long Beach, and Anaheim.
If you’re comparing Video Game Designer salaries in Los Angeles, CA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Los Angeles, CA vs. U.S. National Average
Los Angeles, CA pays +19% vs u.s. for Video Game Designer roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Los Angeles, CA | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA (this guide) | $116,440 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $98,090.0 | -16% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| San Jose, CA | $178,100 | +53% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| San Francisco, CA | $160,980 | +38% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| San Diego, CA | $114,400 | -2% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
Video Game Designer Salary by Experience Level in Los Angeles, CA
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Los Angeles, CA, this breakdown shows how aVideo Game Designer can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Video Game Designer | 0-2 years | $84,421.0 | $62,496.0 - $116,440 | -14% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Video Game Designer | 3-5 years | $116,440 | $84,421.0 - $181,386 | +19% vs U.S. |
| Senior Video Game Designer | 6-10 years | $181,386 | $116,440 - $224,078 | +85% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Video Game Designer | 10+ years | $224,078 | $181,386 - $273,375 | +128% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Los Angeles, CA
Nearby metro areas help show how Video Game Designer pay changes around Los Angeles, CA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
Video Game Designer Salary by Industry in Los Angeles, CA
Industry premiums in Los Angeles, CA usually come from employers that place the Video Game Designer role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $121,710 | $69,770.0 - $176,670 | Stronger salary |
| Information | $120,580 | $51,140.0 - $214,340 | Stronger salary |
| Utilities | $116,130 | $77,850.0 - $162,000 | Stronger salary |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $112,110 | $53,920.0 - $177,190 | Competitive |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $108,200 | $66,800.0 - $190,760 | Competitive |
| Manufacturing | $99,660.0 | $49,730.0 - $181,500 | Competitive |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $93,600.0 | $49,140.0 - $160,820 | Competitive |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $93,040.0 | $47,840.0 - $168,690 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Video Game Designer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Entry-level Video Game Designer jobs in Los Angeles, CA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Video Game Designer salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite Video Game Designer Pay in Los Angeles, CA
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Video Game Designer candidates in Los Angeles, CA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $114,111 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $118,769 | Metro dependent | Los Angeles, CA employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $116,440 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Los Angeles, CA
A salary in Los Angeles, CA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring Video Game Designers in Los Angeles, CA
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Video Game Designer pay tends to be strongest in Los Angeles, CA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Los Angeles, CA Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherLos Angeles, CA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Video Game Designer work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
Video Game Designer Salary Trends in Los Angeles, CA Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CA is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($103K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Los Angeles, CA
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 128.9k → 137.9k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Related experience | A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Local market anchor | 8,460 jobs with a median of $116,440 |
Factors Affecting Video Game Designer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your Video Game Designer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
Video Game Designer Salary in Los Angeles, CA: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Video Game Designer" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CAs salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CAs salary?⌄
How much can senior Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CAs professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CAs salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Video Game Designer in Los Angeles, CAs salary growth?⌄
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.