Annual Salary
Variable
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Sports or Tourism or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Sports or Tourism or go back to all job sectors
Esports gamers compete against other players in tournaments, leagues and events, with matches often streamed online to audiences around the world.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends; flexibly
There will be
4.3% more Esports gamer jobs in 2029.
As an esports gamer, you would:
You could work at a sports arena, at a conference centre or at events.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.
You can get into this job through:
As well as practising and developing your game playing skills, you could apply to do a college course, leading to a certificate or diploma in esports.
There are different qualification levels, with each designed to give you the foundations to build a career in the esports industry. Esports qualifications include topics like:
You will need excellent game playing skills to become a professional esports gamer. In addition, problem solving, teamwork and determination are all important.
You could join an online team, clan, guild or community, and play in competitive amateur leagues and tournaments to develop your skills. For example, teaming up with friends through school, college or university.
You’ll usually concentrate on a particular genre or game title and become an expert in playing it.
If you’re successful at amateur level, you may attract the attention of sponsors or professional esports teams and be invited to compete in trials to join them.
You'll need to:
Online safety is extremely important. The NSPCC and Safer Schools Northern Ireland have advice on pitfalls to look out for and how to stay safe online.
You can get more information on how to become an esports gamer from British Esports.
If you’re successful you may be selected to represent your national esports team and take part in international tournaments. You could also use your skills and experience to move into related career areas, within the esports industry and outside of it.
Areas include:events management; social media management; games development; coaching and performance analysis; sponsorship and marketing
You might also wish to set up your own professional esports team.
You'll need: