Colleges and universities now offer specific courses of study that lead to a college-level degree in games programming. While few schools are currently accredited to offer such programs, more are becoming accredited all the time, and many institutions are adding games programming to their computer science programs. The growth in computer game degrees reflects the growth of the games industry itself.

Career advancement and salary in the games programming sector varies according to the game development specialty involved. In 2007, the average salary for a games programmer in the U.S. had reached $83,383 per year. This is comparable to compensation in the business sector, in spite of the fact that games programming is more difficult and time-consuming than the typical mainstream coding performed in the business arena.

Beginning games programmers – those with less than three years of experience – generally receive an average of $57,665 per year, while those with more than six years in the field are paid an average of $94,525 annually. Lead programmers receive the highest pay, but 3D-graphics programmers are paid a comparable amount. In 2007, lead programmers earned an average of $103,409 per year.

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