Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Game Developer in South Dakota is $98,012 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Lead Game Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Lead Game Developer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,091 | $8,841 | $2,040 | $51 |
| Average | $98,012 | $8,168 | $1,885 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,495 | $7,125 | $1,644 | $41 |
Claryo, Inc. - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Credit Union of Texas - ALLEN, TX
Vets Hired - MIAMI, FL
Padmore Global Connections - ATLANTA, GA
A Lead Game Developer'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 Lead Game Developer'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 |
|---|---|
| Technical... Level Lead Game Developer | $89,110 |
| Technical... Level Lead Game Developer | $104,509 |
| Lead Game... Level Lead Game Developer | $98,882 |
| Technical... Level Lead Game Developer | $112,803 |
| Technical... Level Lead Game Developer | $153,731 |
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 Lead Game Developers. 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 Lead Game Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Game Developer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Game Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $117,615 | $57.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $112,714 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $107,813 | $52.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $105,853 | $51.0 | 8% |
| Internet | $104,873 | $50.0 | 7% |
Understanding how a Lead Game Developer'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 | $106,091 | $8,841 | $2,040 | $51 |
| Average | $98,012 | $8,168 | $1,885 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,495 | $7,125 | $1,644 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Game Developer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Orion Innovation
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Orion Innovation | NEW YORK CITY, NY
Orion Innovation is a premier, award-winning, global business and technology services firm. Orion delivers game-changing business transformation and produc... more
2 Days Ago
Yeah! Global
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Yeah! Global | SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Note: This position does not offer any visa sponsorship. We are only looking for applicants living in San Francisco, CA, or willing to relocate. Overview: ... more
2 Days Ago
Yeah! Global
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Yeah! Global | NEW YORK CITY, NY
Note: This position does not offer visa sponsorship. We are only looking for applicants living in NYC, NY, or willing to relocate. Overview: One of our cli... more
3 Days Ago
Yeah! Global
CHICAGO, IL
Yeah! Global | CHICAGO, IL
Note: This position does not offer any visa sponsorship. We are only looking for applicants living in Chicago, IL, or willing to relocate. Overview: One of... more
8 Days Ago
Yrefy, LLC
PHOENIX, AZ
Yrefy, LLC | PHOENIX, AZ
Job Title: Full Stack Developer Status: Full-time, On-site Department: Technology Reports to: Director of Engineering About the Role We’re seeking full sta... more
2 Days Ago
CB
PHOENIX, AZ
CB | PHOENIX, AZ
Benefits: 401(k) Java Full Stack Developer (Java and React) Candidates should be willing to work onsite in Phoenix, AZ. About the Role EITACIES is seeking ... more
3 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
