Home > Salary > New Zealand > 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: 112,685 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,390 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,167 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,068 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,093 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 56,123 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,677 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,079 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 27 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
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: 112,685 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,390 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,167 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 NZD per hour
By working as Game Designer a person can save up to 2,739 USD per month or 32,862 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 New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
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 New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Game Designer in New Zealand is approximately 112,685 NZD (56,123 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?
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.
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: 112,685 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,390 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,167 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 108,812 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 9,068 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,093 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02Game Designer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 56,123 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,677 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,079 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 27 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %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
New Zealand, a beautiful island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maori culture. With a population of around 5 million people, it is sparsely populated compared to its size. The country covers an area of approximately 268,000 square kilometers and consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Game Designer job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Game Designer in New Zealand earns on average:
1.39 times the average salary (or 139% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Game Designer job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Game Designer in New Zealand earns on average:
1.39 times the average salary (or 139% 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 123,954 NZD and 163,393 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Game Designer in New Zealand?
Living in New Zealand the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,938 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: 112,685 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,390 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,167 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 NZD per hour
By working as Game Designer a person can save up to 2,739 USD per month or 32,862 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 New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa. 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
Australia is 70,201 USD Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary 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
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in New Zealand
(1,008,623 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(843,890 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(810,735 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(786,864 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(786,039 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(769,764 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
7. Oncologist
(768,008 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,682 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,202 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(766,991 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Internet sales manager (76,062 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Crm developer (109,090 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Multimedia instructional designer (89,966 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Lead caregiver (51,514 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Program manager engineering (222,583 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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