As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Gameplay Engineer in Illinois is $126,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Gameplay Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Gameplay Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $137,235 | $11,436 | $2,639 | $66 |
| Average | $126,910 | $10,576 | $2,441 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,755 | $9,646 | $2,226 | $56 |
Doctors of Physical Therapy - LAREDO, TX
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll PLC - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
Synergy Medical Systems - EUGENE, OR
Creative Dental Solutions - BANGOR, ME
A Gameplay Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Gameplay Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Gameplay Engineer | $82,001 |
| Software ... Level Gameplay Engineer | $105,528 |
| Gameplay ... Level Gameplay Engineer | $129,234 |
| Software ... Level Gameplay Engineer | $149,519 |
| Software ... Level Gameplay Engineer | $171,881 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Gameplay Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Gameplay Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Gameplay Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Gameplay Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $144,677 | $70.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $142,139 | $68.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $140,870 | $68.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $139,601 | $67.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $138,332 | $67.0 | 9% |
Understanding how a Gameplay Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,235 | $11,436 | $2,639 | $66 |
| Average | $126,910 | $10,576 | $2,441 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,755 | $9,646 | $2,226 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Gameplay Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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