Jobs Similar to Video Game Designers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to video game designers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Graphic Designers, Art Directors and Special Effects Artists and Animators.
Video Game Designers: $104,000 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Video Game Designers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Designers | 78% | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Art Directors | 72% | $114,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | 72% | $102,030 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Web and Digital Interface DesignersSame group | 71% | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Web DevelopersSame group | 71% | $92,650 | Training or associate |
| 6 | Search Marketing Strategists | 69% | $78,760Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Writers and Authors | 68% | $76,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 68% | $76,910Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Desktop Publishers | 67% | $55,290 | Training or associate |
| 10 | Set and Exhibit Designers | 67% | $75,240 | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 66% | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Editors | 66% | $77,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Data Scientists | 66% | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Fashion Designers | 66% | $80,960 | Training or associate |
| 15 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 65% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Film and Video Editors | 65% | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 65% | $140,300 | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Music Directors and Composers | 65% | $73,710 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Business Intelligence Analysts | 65% | $120,230Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Producers and Directors | 64% | $90,360 | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Graphic Designers
78% similar · $62,960 · Bachelor's degree
- 2Art Directors
72% similar · $114,850 · Bachelor's degree
- 3Special Effects Artists and Animators
72% similar · $102,030 · Bachelor's degree
- 4Web and Digital Interface Designers
71% similar · $104,000 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Web Developers
71% similar · $92,650 · Training or associate · Same group
- 6Search Marketing Strategists
69% similar · $78,760 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 7Writers and Authors
68% similar · $76,910 · Bachelor's degree
- 8Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
68% similar · $76,910 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Desktop Publishers
67% similar · $55,290 · Training or associate
- 10Set and Exhibit Designers
67% similar · $75,240 · Graduate degree
- 11Database Architects
66% similar · $139,500 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Editors
66% similar · $77,920 · Bachelor's degree
- 13Data Scientists
66% similar · $120,230 · Bachelor's degree
- 14Fashion Designers
66% similar · $80,960 · Training or associate
- 15Data Warehousing Specialists
65% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Film and Video Editors
65% similar · $75,420 · Bachelor's degree
- 17Computer and Information Research Scientists
65% similar · $140,300 · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Music Directors and Composers
65% similar · $73,710 · Bachelor's degree
- 19Business Intelligence Analysts
65% similar · $120,230 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Producers and Directors
64% similar · $90,360 · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for video game designers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where video game designers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like video game designers
What jobs are most similar to video game designers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Graphic Designers (78% similar), Art Directors (72% similar), Special Effects Artists and Animators (72% similar), Web and Digital Interface Designers (71% similar) and Web Developers (71% similar).
Do jobs like video game designers pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than video game designers where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.