My main takeaway from this year’s iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey is stability. After years of exponential growth, gaming industry salaries have now found equilibrium, reflecting a more sustainable market.

This stability provides companies with greater predictability in managing costs, while still offering competitive compensation for in-demand talent.

How have gaming salaries grown in 2024?

Salary growth has remained steady in 2024 at 3.33% across all roles and function. However competition for specialist talent remains high, with the largest increases observed in areas requiring advanced tech and data skills.

“Tech and data roles continue to be in high demand,” explains Alastair Cleland, managing director at Pentasia. “With the integration of crypto into gaming, professionals skilled in web3, crypto and data algorithms are becoming increasingly valuable.

“These roles are essential for driving innovation and giving companies a competitive edge as they expand into new markets.”

However, many businesses have adopted a cautious approach to hiring in the last year, leading to longer recruitment processes. Tighter budgets and post-pandemic strategies have resulted in companies taking their time to ensure new hires align with long-term business goals.

This comes with risks, Cleland warns. “While it’s understandable companies are being cautious, longer hiring processes can result in missed opportunities.

“Delays often mean losing out on top talent to faster-moving competitors. Additionally, drawn-out hiring cycles can impact internal morale and put pressure on existing teams, slowing momentum.”

Are retention and succession the next big challenges in gaming?

The survey also reveals that retention is a problem in igaming.

Flexible working models are a key factor in addressing this issue. “Companies that continue to embrace hybrid or fully remote options are finding they can create more robust retention strategies,” Cleland explains. “On the other hand, those mandating in-office work are seeing higher attrition, as employees prioritise flexibility in their work environment.”

This dovetails with the need for more effective succession planning, something Cleland sees becoming “a critical issue”.

“With companies focused on immediate business needs, long-term leadership development is often overlooked,” he explains. “This can lead to talent gaps when senior figures move on, leaving businesses vulnerable. To ensure future stability, companies need to invest more in their human capital, securing their next generation of leaders.”

The full 2024 iGB-Pentasia Salary Survey will be published next week. You can review last year’s report here.