Home > Salary > Japan > Game Designer
A game designer is responsible for creating and developing the overall concept, mechanics, and gameplay of video games. They work closely with a team of artists, programmers, and producers to bring their vision to life. The occupation requires a deep understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and player engagement.
The game designer's role involves designing levels, characters, and game systems, as well as balancing difficulty and pacing. They also conduct playtesting and gather feedback to refine and improve the game. Additionally, they may create storylines, write dialogue, and design user interfaces.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,573,438 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 631,120 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 145,643 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,641 JPY per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 611,470 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 141,108 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,528 JPY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-05
Estimated Yearly Salary: 49,259 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,105 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 947 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 24 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,573,438 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 631,120 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 145,643 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,641 JPY per hour
By working as Game Designer a person can save up to 2,407 USD per month or 28,888 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Japan, see costs of living in Japan.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Game Designer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Game Designer salary in Japan
Average Yearly Salary of Game Designer in Japan is approximately 7,573,438 JPY (49,259 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Game Designer do?

Skills: Game designer, Video game development, Game mechanics, Gameplay design, Level design, Character design
Job industry: Entertainment
Job industry: Entertainment
How much does Game Designer make?
Salary details
How much does Game Designer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,573,438 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 631,120 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 145,643 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,641 JPY per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,337,638 JPYEstimated Monthly Salary: 611,470 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 141,108 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,528 JPY per hour
Game Designer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 49,259 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,105 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 947 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 24 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
Japan, located in East Asia, is an island country consisting of four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. With a population of approximately 126 million people, it is the 11th most populous country globally. Japan has a land area of around 377,975 square kilometers, making it comparable in size to Germany or Montana in the United States.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 5,998,894 JPY (42,440 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Game Designer job salary compared to average salary in Japan.
Comparison shows that a person working as Game Designer in Japan earns on average:
1.26 times the average salary (or 126% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 5,998,894 JPY (42,440 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Game Designer job salary compared to average salary in Japan.
Comparison shows that a person working as Game Designer in Japan earns on average:
1.26 times the average salary (or 126% of average salary).
Is Game Designer a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Game Designer is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Game Designer?
High salary for Game Designer would be somewhere between 8,330,782 JPY and 10,981,485 JPY. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Game Designer in Japan?
Living in Japan the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,698 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,573,438 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 631,120 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 145,643 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3,641 JPY per hour
By working as Game Designer a person can save up to 2,407 USD per month or 28,888 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Japan, see costs of living in Japan.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: China, South Korea, North Korea, Russia. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Game Designer
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in Japan
(68,080,344 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(56,976,427 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(54,917,308 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(53,051,048 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(53,032,036 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(52,007,323 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
7. Urologist
(51,979,186 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(51,888,641 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(51,874,052 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(51,756,180 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Commercial real estate broker (7,946,743 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Faculty administrative assistant (3,299,392 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Pharmacist assistant (2,915,343 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Farm ranch or other agricultural manager (4,823,517 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Banking supervisor check processing (4,739,183 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
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