Side-by-side distribution
Embedded Engineer
$158,900
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 46.5%
- Live roles
- 1,071
Game Developer
$173,000
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 16.1%
- Live roles
- 93
Highest-paying jobs
Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer
Principal Software Engineer - Embedded (RIS)
Principal Software Engineer, Embedded (RIS)
Principal Software Engineer - Embedded Platform Software Development
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Senior Embedded Engineer - Command Connector
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Embedded Software Engineer, Power, Level 5
Embedded SW Engineer
Principal BIOS Embedded Software Engineer
Highest-paying jobs
Principal Software Engineer, Creator Game Operations
Senior Software Engineer, Game Engine
Senior Software Engineer - Game Engine Systems (C++)
Staff Gameplay Engineer - Systems and Performance
Senior Gameplay Engineer - Game Modes
Software Engineer - Game Development
Game Security Software Engineer
Mobile Game Security Software Engineer
Senior Gameplay Software Engineer (UE5)
Software Engineer - Simulation, Game Engine & World Systems (Autonomy)
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
Northrop Grumman
|
$142,500 | 61 |
Anduril Industries
|
$222,000 | 26 |
|
Blue Origin
|
$181,117 | 17 |
SpaceX
|
$145,000 | 15 |
Leidos
|
$122,275 | 13 |
|
Verkada
|
$220,000 | 12 |
Silvus Technologies
|
$170,000 | 10 |
Motorola Solutions
|
$132,503 | 10 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
Roblox
|
$269,270 | 3 |
|
teamLFG
|
$207,750 | 2 |
| KA KRAFTON Americas | $173,000 | 2 |
|
Applied Intuition
|
$166,581 | 2 |
|
Skyboxlabs
|
$147,500 | 1 |
2K
|
$106,280 | 1 |
| CC Cloud Chamber | $106,280 | 1 |
thatgamecompany
|
$105,000 | 1 |
Embedded Engineer salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| London | $279,940 | 3 |
| Toronto | $191,700 | 4 |
| San Francisco | $186,250 | 18 |
| Seattle | $182,209 | 26 |
| Denver | $181,117 | 11 |
| Boston | $180,650 | 6 |
| New York | $178,800 | 3 |
| Los Angeles | $170,000 | 34 |
| Austin | $135,125 | 7 |
Embedded Engineer vs Game Developer: which pays more?
The median for Embedded Engineer is $158,900 per year (typically $127,500–$193,950), versus $173,000 for Game Developer ($106,280–$209,331). That puts Game Developer about 9% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so Embedded Engineer and Game Developer are compared on equal terms regardless of the currency each role was originally posted in. Only roles that publish a salary range feed the medians; numbers refresh every few hours as new roles post and older ones close, so this comparison reflects the market right now rather than a fixed survey. Use it as a directional benchmark when weighing one path against the other.