Peliala Palkka: Keskiansioiden Vertailu Suomessa

Gaming Salary has become a key topic of discussion in the Finnish labor market: gaming salaries have increased significantly in recent years, and this development affects both recruitment and career choices. With ten years of work experience, you can earn up to 1,800 euros more per month in the gaming industry compared to someone with less than three years of experience. This difference highlights the economic value of experience, and in the Gaming Salary discussion, it is important to understand how the salary structure is formed and what it means for career development.

Working in the gaming industry offers creative and technical opportunities, but the industry also faces significant challenges, especially in terms of diversity and workplace climate. Many women have reported experiencing discrimination and sexual harassment, which affects job continuity and the reputation of the industry. Therefore, alongside the Gaming Salary discussion, there must be a discussion about inclusive recruitment practices, safe work processes, and practices that promote equality and retain talent in the industry.

In Finland, average and median salaries across sectors reveal significant differences, so Gaming Salary is just one part of the broader salary picture. While the gaming industry offers competitive advantages, differences between companies, locations, and job roles affect how attractive the industry is to job seekers and how employees stay in the industry in the long term. For this reason, salary comparisons and financial planning are important tools when making career decisions.

One emerging phenomenon in Finland is the number of digital platforms, such as , which offer flexible ways to earn income alongside your own projects. While this does not replace permanent employment, it is an example of how technologies and the platform economy are affecting the current job market. By analyzing Peliala Palkka data, individuals can make better decisions about their career and financial planning, assessing both salary and working conditions.

Salary levels and the impact of experience

With 10 years of work experience: up to 1,800 euros higher salary per month — experience increases negotiating power and responsibilities, which is directly reflected in salary.
With less than 3 years of work experience: significantly lower salary — entry-level roles often have a learning period during which salary increases with experience.
Average salary for a game developer: €356 more than a graphic designer — this difference is often related to technical specialization and seniority.

Challenges and diversity

Discrimination and sexual harassment are issues faced by women — these challenges require practical measures, clear reporting channels, and leadership commitment.
The need to increase the number of women and underrepresented groups in the industry — mentoring, training programs, and diversity goals will help to level the playing field.
Developing a work environment is important — psychological safety, clear management practices, and transparency in job descriptions improve the quality of work and retain talent.

Career options and salary differences

Graphic designer and game developer: small salary differences — both roles are respected, but the differences often arise from experience and the scope of the task.
Slightly higher average salary for game developers — specialized technical skills and more responsible roles often increase developers’ earnings.

In this blog post, we dive deeper into these themes, examining what factors influence salaries in the gaming industry and how the industry can be developed to be more diverse and fair for all workers. Stay tuned — in the following sections, we’ll review the market landscape, salary reports, and practical tips for negotiations and career planning.

Gaming Job Market Overview

The gaming industry has evolved rapidly and now offers many job opportunities in development, art and production. Gaming Salary reflects this change: salaries vary depending on experience, role and location, and international competition and the increase in remote work are shaping job conditions and the need for expertise.

Maturation and Establishment of the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry has seen significant maturation, reflected in rising salaries, revenue growth, and stronger recruitment practices. Ten years of experience earn up to €1,800 more than those with less than three years in the industry — a sign that skills are valued and career paths are becoming clearer. Different sources conduct surveys with different samples; some studies report an average salary of around €4,100 and a median of around €4,000, while others measure a median of around €3,700 and a mean of around €3,950. The differences are due to sampling, regional weighting, and variations in company size.

Average salary: 4,100 euros (varies depending on the source)
Median salary: 4,000 euros (depends on the survey)
Differences between large and small companies: Large companies pay more and often offer benefits such as bonuses and stock options.

In addition, salaries in the Helsinki metropolitan area are approximately 300 euros higher than elsewhere in Finland, which highlights the regional wage gap and the impact of the cost of living in salary negotiations.

Job Creation and Job Change

Job creation in the gaming industry is active: startups, mid-sized and international companies are recruiting for various roles. Job changes are common, especially among more experienced workers, as transfers often offer higher pay, greater responsibility and better career opportunities. Working conditions, such as working hours, remote work opportunities and holidays, are increasingly being negotiated individually, which influences job choice as much as salary.

Number of jobs: Increasing, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Job change: Common, especially among experienced people — a strategic way to increase salary and responsibility.
International competition: Affects wages, but also enables international employers through remote work.

There are no major differences in the salaries of graphic designers and game developers at the entry-level level, but more advanced, technically specialized roles and senior-level responsibilities significantly affect the Gaming Salary comparisons.

Salary in the Gaming Industry

Salaries in the gaming industry have risen significantly in recent years, and job satisfaction has improved in many studies. However, clear pay gaps still exist: experience, role, location and company size all affect pay. In this section, we look at how salaries are determined and what employees can do to improve their position.

Determining Salary Level

Salaries in the gaming industry are determined by many factors:

Work experience : With ten years of experience, you can earn up to 1,800 euros more per month than someone who has worked in the field for less than three years — experience brings technical insight and project management skills.
Job Description : A graphic designer and a game developer often earn fairly similar salaries, but technical specialization and level of responsibility can increase the difference.
Location : Salaries in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area can be around 300 euros higher per month compared to the rest of Finland — this is related to the cost of living and the solvency of companies.
Company size : Larger companies can often afford to pay higher salaries and offer benefits such as bonuses, stock options, and training funds.

These factors have a significant impact on the formation of salary levels in the gaming industry. Job seekers should research market prices, utilize trade unions, and develop their skills strategically.

Average salary and Median salary

According to gaming industry salary surveys, average and median salaries are quite competitive, but the numbers vary depending on the source:

Median salary : The median salary in the gaming industry is around 3,700–4,000 euros per month, depending on the research and sample.
Average salary : The average salary in the gaming industry is slightly higher, around 3,950–4,100 euros per month.

Based on these earnings levels, the gaming industry offers competitive pay compared to many other industries. However, it is important to note that an individual employee’s salary is always determined by a combination of several personal and market-based factors.

Salary increases and Incentive bonuses

Salary increases and incentive bonuses are common in the gaming industry and are effective ways to engage employees and reward results.

Salary increases : Salaries have increased by hundreds of euros per month in recent years, and more experienced workers have a better chance of receiving significant increases.
Incentives : Many companies offer bonuses or project-based rewards for achieving targeted results, which can significantly increase annual income.

These are ways companies can keep their employees motivated and engaged. Effective salary policies and transparent career paths also help attract the best talent to the industry.

The gaming industry offers its employees significant financial benefits and diverse career opportunities. By familiarizing yourself with Gaming Salary information, you can plan your career and negotiate your salary more informed.

Profiles of Professionals in the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry offers many career paths, from game developers to graphic designers to production managers. Career progression and salaries vary greatly depending on experience, skills, and education — so it’s helpful to understand the expectations and progression paths for different roles.

From Game Developer to Senior Level Talent

Game developers often start out as programmers and can progress to senior roles. The game developer path includes:

Junior developer: In the beginning, focus on the basics and learn from more experienced people — portfolio and demos are important.
Mid-level developer: Gains more responsibility and participates in design and optimization — increasing technical breadth and collaboration skills.
Senior Developer: Leads projects, mentors others, and makes strategic decisions — this role can lead to a significant salary increase.

According to the 2023 salary survey, senior developers can earn up to €1,800 more per month than their less experienced colleagues, highlighting the financial value of experience and leadership responsibility.

Graphic Designers and Game Designers

A graphic designer focuses on the visual appearance of games, while a game designer creates the rules and mechanics of the game. Main roles :

Graphic Designer: Renderings, textures, and user interfaces — visual quality directly affects the appeal of a product.
Game Designer: Game mechanics, story, and level design — the gameplay experience of a game determines its success in the market.

According to surveys, there is not much difference in salaries between these two roles at the entry level, but technical specialization and experience can significantly increase the salary level of a graphic designer or designer. However, on average, a game developer earns 356 euros more per month, which is often due to the prevalence of seniority and technical responsibility in developer roles.

The Importance of Education in a Professional’s Career Development

Education often has a big impact on salary development. A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is a common background for many game developers. The role of education in a career:

A degree helps you get your foot in the door — education is often a starting point in a job application.
Improves employment opportunities and career advancement — additional training and courses can accelerate advancement.
Higher salary potential with education — specialization and demonstration projects increase value.

Experience and continuous learning are emphasized in the gaming industry, where technologies and trends change rapidly. Therefore, investing in skills, portfolio, and networking is often as important as a formal degree.

Salaries are generally higher in the metropolitan area, and larger companies offer better compensation. Education and continued work experience are vital to a thriving career — from both the employee and the employer’s perspective.

Employment Terms and Conditions and Trade Unions

Gaming workers have a variety of employment conditions and opportunities to join unions. These organizations play a significant role in protecting workers’ rights and interests, and provide tangible resources for wage negotiations and labor issues.

Game Makers of Finland ja Neogames

Game Makers of Finland is an association representing Finnish game industry professionals. This organization supports the development and working conditions of the game industry through training, mentoring and networking events. The organization’s reports and surveys provide valuable information on Gaming Industry Salary trends.

Neogames is the Finnish gaming industry umbrella organization that promotes the interests of the gaming industry nationally and internationally. Neogames collaborates with the public sector, research institutes and companies to ensure the competitiveness and growth of the gaming industry. They also produce research and statistical information that is useful for salary negotiations and strategic career planning.

Important information:

Game Makers of Finland supports the working conditions and competence development of Finnish game industry professionals.
Neogames promotes the competitiveness and growth of the gaming industry nationally and internationally, offering research and events.
Both organizations offer training, events, and networking opportunities that can improve career prospects and salary negotiation position.

The Role of Gaming Unions

Trade unions are important for workers in the gaming industry. They provide legal advice, negotiation support and represent employees in collective bargaining negotiations. For example, the Finnish Federation of Engineers and the Finnish Trade Union Pro are well-known unions that gaming professionals often join, and they help ensure that the Gaming Salary debate is also reflected in collective bargaining agreements.

Trade unions ensure that workers’ rights are respected and offer practical help in case of employment problems. Union membership can also provide training, insurance and support in negotiating wages and other terms of employment.

Tasks of trade unions:

Provide legal assistance and negotiation support to employees.
Represents employees in collective bargaining negotiations and influences industry practices.
Ensure the realization of workers’ rights and provide training opportunities.
Offer insurance and other member benefits that supplement salary and security.

Salary Reporting and Research

Salaries in the gaming industry vary depending on the role and experience. This section covers median and earnings comparisons, as well as annual salary surveys and reports that provide up-to-date information on Gaming Salary trends.

Median and Earnings Comparison

The median salary in the gaming industry is €3,700 per month in some surveys, while other studies report a median of around €4,000. This means that half of the workers earn less than this and half earn more. More experienced workers with more than ten years of work experience often earn up to €1,800 more compared to those with less than three years in the industry, indicating the strong impact of experience on earnings.

Key information:

Median salary: €3,700–4,000/month depending on source
With over 10 years of experience: up to €1,800 higher salary

Game developers earn an average of €356 more per month than graphic designers. This is often due to the fact that developers are more often in senior-level roles and their skills are directly tied to technical requirements.

Annual Salary Surveys and Reports

Game Makers of Finland publishes annual gaming industry salary survey results, which provide important benchmarking data. For example, in 2018, more than half of survey respondents reported a salary increase — a trend that has continued in most subsequent surveys. Nearly 200 industry employees participate in this survey annually, and it serves as a valuable indicator of Gaming Salary trends.