Game Designer Salary
in Cleveland
2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities
Last updated: September 2026 · Source: BLS OEWS · modeled estimate, not a published figure for this area
Typical range: $58,527 – $103,095
How much does a Game Designer make in Cleveland, OH?
A Game Designer in Cleveland earns a median of $77,678/year (about $37/hour). Most earn between $58,527 (25th percentile) and $103,095 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $133,088 or more — 12% below the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.
Understanding these Game Designer salary numbers
We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.
Median (P50) — $77,678
Half of Game Designers in Cleveland earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.
25th percentile (P25) — $58,527
The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Game Designers earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.
75th percentile (P75) — $103,095
Your negotiation target: only 25% of Game Designers earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.
90th percentile (P90) — $133,088
Top earners: only 10% of Game Designers make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.
Gross vs after-tax pay
These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.
National vs Cleveland pay
City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Cleveland differs from the US average by -12%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.
Hourly rate — $37/hr
The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.
Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale
Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.
How current and reliable is this number?
This page carries a confidence score of 97/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.
What counts as a "good" Game Designer salary in Cleveland?
Around the median ($77,678) is solid and $103,095+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Cleveland.
Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.
Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH: median $77,678 (P75 $103,095), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.
Free JSON: /api/salary?job=game-designer&city=cleveland — no key. API & widgets →
Key insights for Game Designers in Cleveland
- ›Game Designers in Cleveland earn about 12% less than the national median for the role ($78K vs $88K).
- ›Cost of living in Cleveland runs about 12% below the US average, so $78K is worth roughly $88K at national prices.
- ›After a simplified take-home estimate, $78K nets about $61K/yr — roughly $31K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
- ›Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Game Designer reaches about $99K — a +28% step from mid-level.
Game Designers in Cleveland typically earn $59K–$103K a year.
The market median is $78K — half earn above, half earn below.
Top earners (top 10%) make $133K or more.
Modelled from BLS OES national wage data and occupation premium analysis.
Game Designer Salary Analysis — Cleveland
Game Designers in Cleveland earn a median salary of $78K, which is 12% below the national median of $88K. A more competitive regional labour market keeps wages below the national baseline.
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Cleveland.
Cost of Living Adjustment
Cleveland's cost of living is 12% below the US average. Your $78K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $88K in a city with average US living costs.
Salary Distribution — Cleveland
5-band distribution from employer payroll records
New graduates, 0–1 yr exp
1–3 years experience
3–7 years, typical professional
Senior / high-performer — target
Staff / principal / lead
Are You Being Underpaid?
Enter your current salary to see your exact market percentile in Cleveland
Am I Underpaid?
Enter your current salary to see where you stand
Your salary is never stored or transmitted. Calculation runs locally in your browser.
Official Salary Fair Pay Score™
Is $78K a good salary for Game Designer in Cleveland?
Benchmarked against the official BLS wage distribution for Game Designers in Cleveland
Half of Game Designers in Cleveland earn more, half earn less. Enter your own salary in the checker above to see your exact percentile against this distribution.
Why This Salary?
How we arrived at $78K for Game Designers in Cleveland
Source: BLS OES. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.
Game Designer Salary by Experience Level in Cleveland
How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 | 0 yrs | $48,160 | $4,013 | $23 |
| Junior | 2 | 2 yrs | $62,142 | $5,179 | $30 |
| Mid-LevelTypical | 4 | 4 yrs | $72,499 | $6,042 | $35 |
| Senior | 6 | 6 yrs | $82,028 | $6,836 | $39 |
| Staff | 10 | 10 yrs | $99,428 | $8,286 | $48 |
| Principal | 14 | 14 yrs | $113,099 | $9,425 | $54 |
| Distinguished | 18 | 18 yrs | $116,517 | $9,710 | $56 |
Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.
Skills That Earn More — Game Designer
Estimated premium above the Cleveland median based on market demand
Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.
Game Designer Intelligence Report
Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data
Career Opportunity Score
Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4
Total Compensation — Game Designer
Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits
Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.
Typical Benefits for Game Designers
— show
Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay
Compare Game Designer Salaries by City
How Cleveland, OH stacks up against other major markets
| City | Median | P75 | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH (current) | $77,678 | $103,095+ | -12% |
| New York, NY | $79,280 | $102,060+ | -10% |
| San Francisco, CA | $131,260 | $174,210+ | +49% |
| Seattle, WA | $125,525 | $166,598+ | +43% |
| Austin, TX | $65,060 | $79,790+ | -26% |
| Boston, MA | $78,270 | $98,260+ | -11% |
| Chicago, IL | $66,490 | $83,590+ | -24% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $72,400 | $95,440+ | -18% |
| Denver, CO | $72,500 | $90,770+ | -18% |
Official Salary Career GPS™
What should I do next as a Game Designer?
Higher-paying roles in the same field
Other Creative Jobs in Cleveland
Same industry, same city
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH?
The estimated median Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH is $78K per year (2026). This is a modeled estimate derived from national wage data adjusted for local cost levels, not a published government figure for this area.
What is a good Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH?
The 75th percentile ($103K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($78K) is above-average for this role in Cleveland, OH.
How much does a Game Designer earn per hour in Cleveland, OH?
Based on the median annual salary of $78K, a Game Designer in Cleveland, OH earns approximately $37/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$50/hr.
Is Cleveland, OH a good market for Game Designers?
Cleveland, OH pays 12% below the US national average for this role. BLS projects 14% employment growth for Game Designers over 2022–2032, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.
How do I negotiate a higher Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH?
Cite the BLS P75 figure ($103K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.
What is the entry-level Game Designer salary in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level Game Designers in Cleveland, OH (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $45K–$59K per year, rising toward the $78K median with experience and in-demand skills.
What does a senior Game Designer earn in Cleveland, OH?
Senior Game Designers in Cleveland, OH — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $103K–$133K per year, with the top 10% making $133K+.
How Is This Salary Calculated?
Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.
Where does the salary data come from?
US metro figures are published estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, which covers roughly 1.1 million employer establishments. Where BLS does not publish a figure for an occupation and area, this site shows a modeled estimate and labels it as one.
How is the Cleveland figure calculated?
The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For Cleveland, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.
What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?
These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.
How is take-home pay estimated?
Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.
How often is data updated?
US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.
Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.
What a Game Designer salary really means in Cleveland
Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $77,678 median.
Estimated take-home
≈ $5,234/month net
- Gross median
- $77,678
- Income tax
- −$8,930
- Social / FICA
- −$5,942
- Effective rate
- 19%
Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.
Rent affordability
of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,033/mo)
The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$2,460/mo), roughly $2,774/mo is left to save or invest.
Cost-of-living estimate for Cleveland; rent ≈ 42% of budget.
Remote vs onsite
typical fully-remote benchmark range
Onsite Game Designers in Cleveland earn the local median of $77,678. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($88,000) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.
Compare all Game Designer markets →How to reach the top 25% as a Game Designer in Cleveland
The gap between a typical Game Designer and the top quartile in Cleveland is $25,417/year — about $2,118/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($103,095) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise. Pay for this role has grown about 6.1% per year, so the target keeps moving up.
Game Designer Salary Trend (2019–2024)
BLS OES historical national medians
Source: BLS OEWS 2019–2024. City-level data uses national trend × metro premium.
Education Premium — Game Designer
How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data
Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.
Negotiation Deep-Dive
Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.
Negotiation Calculator
Enter your current salary to see your market position and opening ask
Game Designer in Other Cities
Top Creative Jobs in Cleveland
Data Source & Attribution
This page’s figures are a modeled estimate: a national occupation wage adjusted for local cost levels. BLS does not publish a figure for this occupation and area, so these numbers are not a government measurement and should not be cited as one. International figures draw on OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, and ILO ILOSTAT.