3 answers
Malik
Student
Saint-Georges, Canada
3
Questions
Asked
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What is the salary of a video-game tester?
I am a 6th grade student.
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3 answers
Michael Howard
Creative Director
16
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Malik,
I worked in the video game industry for about 15 years in California, starting as a Quality Assurance (QA) tester for 2K Sports video games. Back in 2007, the pay was around $12 an hour, but the industry has evolved since then—especially with recent efforts to unionize.
One thing to keep in mind: Pay and job stability often depend on the game’s budget and publisher. Bigger franchises, like sports games or major action titles, tend to offer better pay, benefits, and a higher chance of long-term positions. Smaller studios usually have tighter budgets, so QA roles might be more limited or short-term.
QA is typically contract work, especially for first-time releases or one-off projects. Some studios, like Electronic Arts, are known for hiring under 12-month contracts, so it’s important to ask about contract terms during interviews. That said, some companies do offer full-time QA roles, particularly for ongoing franchises.
It’s absolutely possible to build a stable career in QA, but you’ll need to take the job seriously—it’s not just playing games for fun. Good testers think outside the box, find issues quickly, and understand how a game functions at a deep level.
Lastly, I’d encourage you to explore career paths beyond QA as well. Many professionals use QA as a stepping stone into marketing, production, or even game design. I personally found marketing to be a fulfilling transition after my time in QA.
Hope this helps, and best of luck on your journey!
Best,
Michael
I worked in the video game industry for about 15 years in California, starting as a Quality Assurance (QA) tester for 2K Sports video games. Back in 2007, the pay was around $12 an hour, but the industry has evolved since then—especially with recent efforts to unionize.
One thing to keep in mind: Pay and job stability often depend on the game’s budget and publisher. Bigger franchises, like sports games or major action titles, tend to offer better pay, benefits, and a higher chance of long-term positions. Smaller studios usually have tighter budgets, so QA roles might be more limited or short-term.
QA is typically contract work, especially for first-time releases or one-off projects. Some studios, like Electronic Arts, are known for hiring under 12-month contracts, so it’s important to ask about contract terms during interviews. That said, some companies do offer full-time QA roles, particularly for ongoing franchises.
It’s absolutely possible to build a stable career in QA, but you’ll need to take the job seriously—it’s not just playing games for fun. Good testers think outside the box, find issues quickly, and understand how a game functions at a deep level.
Lastly, I’d encourage you to explore career paths beyond QA as well. Many professionals use QA as a stepping stone into marketing, production, or even game design. I personally found marketing to be a fulfilling transition after my time in QA.
Hope this helps, and best of luck on your journey!
Best,
Michael
Thank you so much for the advice.
Malik
Jason Lee
Consulting
27
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Malik
These figures can fluctuate based on factors such as the tester's level of experience, the specific employer, and the complexity of the testing tasks involved.
Listing some info for Quebec (where you're in) and Ontario as follows:
Quebec:
Hourly Wages: According to the Government of Canada's Job Bank, video game testers in Quebec typically earn between $15.75 and $51.44 per hour, with a median wage of $18.99 per hour.
Average Annual Salary: Data from ERI Economic Research Institute indicates an average annual salary of $74,068 CAD for video game testers in Quebec, with a typical salary range between $52,144 and $89,844.
Ontario:
Hourly Wages: The Job Bank reports that video game testers in Ontario earn between $18.00 and $51.28 per hour, with a median wage of $33.65 per hour.
Average Annual Salary: According to Jobillico, the average annual salary for a video game tester in Ontario is approximately $51,180 CAD.
These figures can fluctuate based on factors such as the tester's level of experience, the specific employer, and the complexity of the testing tasks involved.
Listing some info for Quebec (where you're in) and Ontario as follows:
Quebec:
Hourly Wages: According to the Government of Canada's Job Bank, video game testers in Quebec typically earn between $15.75 and $51.44 per hour, with a median wage of $18.99 per hour.
Average Annual Salary: Data from ERI Economic Research Institute indicates an average annual salary of $74,068 CAD for video game testers in Quebec, with a typical salary range between $52,144 and $89,844.
Ontario:
Hourly Wages: The Job Bank reports that video game testers in Ontario earn between $18.00 and $51.28 per hour, with a median wage of $33.65 per hour.
Average Annual Salary: According to Jobillico, the average annual salary for a video game tester in Ontario is approximately $51,180 CAD.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Malik!
So, you're curious about the moolah a video game tester rakes in, eh? Let's break it down with a sprinkle of fun because I use it always to keep you smiking😜!
Quebec: According to the Government of Canada's Job Bank, video game testers in Quebec typically earn between $15.75 and $51.44 per hour, with a median wage of $18.99 per hour. 🤔 So, the Data from ERI Economic Research Institute indicates an average annual salary of $74,068 CAD for video game testers in Quebec, with a typical salary range between $52,144 and $89,844. I need my calculator 🤓!
One thing about th company-specific pay. In Quebec Province, the average hourly pay for a game tester at Keywords Studios is approximately $18.19, which aligns with the national average.
Remember, these numbers can vary based on experience, the company, and the complexity of the games you're testing. So, if you're aiming to be the next game-testing guru, keep honing those skills and stay updated with industry trends!
Happy gaming! 🎮 Happy Crushing! All the best Malik!
So, you're curious about the moolah a video game tester rakes in, eh? Let's break it down with a sprinkle of fun because I use it always to keep you smiking😜!
Quebec: According to the Government of Canada's Job Bank, video game testers in Quebec typically earn between $15.75 and $51.44 per hour, with a median wage of $18.99 per hour. 🤔 So, the Data from ERI Economic Research Institute indicates an average annual salary of $74,068 CAD for video game testers in Quebec, with a typical salary range between $52,144 and $89,844. I need my calculator 🤓!
One thing about th company-specific pay. In Quebec Province, the average hourly pay for a game tester at Keywords Studios is approximately $18.19, which aligns with the national average.
Remember, these numbers can vary based on experience, the company, and the complexity of the games you're testing. So, if you're aiming to be the next game-testing guru, keep honing those skills and stay updated with industry trends!
Happy gaming! 🎮 Happy Crushing! All the best Malik!