| Testing video games for a living has got to be | | | | good, and not so great when the economy goes |
| one of the greatest jobs around. Think about it. | | | | into the tank. That's undoubtedly true of any |
| You get to play all the latest and greatest games, | | | | career, but the impact on contractors is always a |
| and you actually get paid for it! What more can | | | | little worse. |
| you ask out of life? Please read the Game | | | | The secret to successful contracting is establishing |
| Testing Ground Review for more... | | | | a connection with a good network of professional |
| Testing video games for a living has got to be | | | | friends and associates. Make a concerted effort |
| one of the greatest jobs around. Think about it. | | | | to keep in touch with associates from past jobs. |
| You get to play all the latest and greatest games, | | | | Remember their birthdays and their spouses and |
| and you actually get paid for it! What more can | | | | children's names. Drop them a line once in a while |
| you ask out of life? It really does sound good, but | | | | to ask how they're doing and to let them know |
| does a video game tester salary really pay | | | | your situation. You are the one who must act as |
| enough to warrant all of that excitement? If it | | | | your personal agent, a salesman for your talents. |
| doesn't pay enough to live on, it's more like an | | | | Join any associations or organizations that exist to |
| expensive hobby which you probably can't afford. | | | | publicize or promote your profession. Participate in |
| Let's take a moment to find out how much the | | | | the activities of these organizations, volunteer to |
| average salary for video game testers actually is. | | | | help with their various programs. Help others to |
| According to different company websites and | | | | find work when you are in a position to do so. |
| gaming industry surveys, the average salary for a | | | | These things really do help. When an opening |
| game tester is in the 15 to 20-thousand dollar | | | | comes up, your network will let you know. |
| range, which is a very nice range indeed. Naturally | | | | Despite the downside, the positives of this career |
| the salary depends upon the skills of the individual | | | | path far outweigh the negatives. Those who are |
| game tester, and how often he or she works. | | | | in the business wouldn't change places with |
| Most game testers work as contractors on | | | | anyone. To get a better idea of what game |
| assignment to the major game developers, so | | | | tester salaries are available to experienced game |
| their income level depends upon how many game | | | | testing professionals, a list of average game |
| companies hire him, and for how long. | | | | tester salaries from around the country are listed |
| Game tester salaries for those that are working | | | | below in alphabetical order. |
| on contract is based upon an hourly rate of | | | | * Atlanta, GA (67,230) |
| between $8 and $20 per hour, depending upon | | | | * Charlotte, NC (66,585) |
| their experience and track record. If we consider | | | | * Chicago, IL (67,607) |
| the mean hourly rate of $15 per hour, an average | | | | * Dallas, TX (68,690) |
| game tester could make $600 a week when he's | | | | * Houston, TX (70,680) |
| working. That's not that bad for an average of | | | | * Indianapolis, IN (59,759) |
| over $31,000 a year. More experienced game | | | | * Miami, FL (53,381) |
| testers, of course, will make much more. More | | | | * New York-Manhattan, NY (66,083) |
| experience; more money. But that's true of any | | | | * Orlando, FL (37,113) |
| job; the more you know, the more you're worth. | | | | * Phoenix, AZ (63,493) |
| There is a downside to this career, however. As | | | | If the video game tester salary ranges are |
| a contractor, you'll get paid only when you work, | | | | tempting, and you have the skills, maybe a career |
| and contracting work is by its very nature | | | | in game testing is the right choice for you. |
| sporadic. It's a great job when the economy is | | | | |