Also called: QA Tester (Games)
Plays unfinished video games over and over at game studios or testing companies to find bugs, then writes detailed reports so developers can fix them.
Testers play the same level hundreds of times, try to break things, and write precise bug reports. It is a common entry to the game industry.
Game QA pays much less than general software QA (BLS median ~$100k).
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree; attention to detail.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Self-taught, 2-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Game Design, Computer Science.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI bots now run automated playtests and bug sweeps, cutting entry QA jobs; testing feel and fun stays human but scarcer.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to game QA companies like Keywords Studios or PTW for entry tester roles
Classes: Computer Science, English (writing), Math, Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1253.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.