Support for Game Industry Unions Increases in Latest Salary Report

he importance of compensation when considering job opportunities as either important or very important. Among the top factors for accepting or rejecting job offers, salary and benefits ranked the highest at 95%. The report also highlighted that 73% of respondents felt confident in negotiating their compensation, while 19% were either not confident or very uncomfortable with negotiating their salary.

Moreover, the report emphasized that 56% of respondents received a bonus in 2025, with the average bonus being $13,000. However, bonuses varied significantly based on job role, with non-management roles receiving an average bonus of $8,000, while management roles received an average bonus of $20,000.

The survey also touched on the issue of unpaid overtime in the industry, with 34% of respondents reporting that they worked unpaid overtime averaging 6 hours per week. Additionally, 28% of respondents stated that they were asked or expected to work extra hours without pay, with the average being 9 hours per week.

In terms of job satisfaction, the report revealed that 77% of respondents were somewhat or very satisfied with their current job, with only 9% feeling very dissatisfied. The main factors contributing to job satisfaction were work-life balance, colleagues and team members, and opportunities for growth and career advancement.

When asked about workplace benefits, 84% of respondents stated that health insurance was the most important benefit, followed by paid time off at 67% and retirement contributions at 53%. However, only 59% of respondents reported having access to retirement benefits through their employer, indicating a gap in providing essential benefits to employees in the industry.

Overall, the 2025 Game Industry Salary Report shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by game industry professionals when it comes to compensation, benefits, and job satisfaction. The survey results underscore the importance of fair compensation, access to essential benefits, and the need for addressing issues such as unpaid overtime and undercompensation in the industry. The findings also highlight the growing support for unionization among game industry workers, signaling a shift towards advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment within the industry.