A new ranking by Japanese corporate analytics company SalesNow has shed light on the highest-paying game companies in Japan, revealing the top 20 studios based on average yearly income. The data, covering the period from June 2024 to June 2025, draws from SalesNow DB, one of Japan’s largest corporate information databases, analyzing over 5.4 million companies using data from government gazettes, tax offices, and company disclosures.
Sony and Bandai Namco Take the Lead
At the very top of the chart is Sony Group Corporation, with an average salary of 11.13 million yen, approximately 75,000 USD. This makes Sony the best paying employer in Japan’s video game sector, an accolade which is reinforced by the company’s diverse sectors and international presence.
In second place, Bandai Namco Holdings is not too far off with an average salary of 10.95 million yen, or about 74,000 USD. The publisher is recognized for its flagship brands which include not only video games but also toys and media: Tekken, Dragon Ball, and Dark Souls, for example.
Nintendo Holds Strong
Nintendo is perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the sector and enjoyed an average earning of 9.63 million yen, or about 65,000 dollars, placing them third. Although it is below the 10-million-yen mark, it nevertheless reflects the company’s robust financial health, especially following their blockbuster releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
The Full Top 20 Ranking
Rank | Company | Average Yearly Income (JPY) | Approx. USD |
1 | Sony Group Corporation | ¥11,132,231 | ~$75,000 |
2 | Bandai Namco Holdings | ¥10,950,000 | ~$74,000 |
3 | Nintendo | ¥9,626,857 | ~$65,000 |
4 | Sega Sammy Holdings | ¥8,791,596 | ~$59,000 |
5 | Akatsuki | ¥8,557,000 | ~$57,000 |
6 | DeNA | ¥8,540,000 | ~$57,000 |
7 | Capcom | ¥8,328,000 | ~$56,000 |
8 | Koei Tecmo Holdings | ¥8,105,686 | ~$54,000 |
9 | GungHo Online Entertainment | ¥7,504,000 | ~$50,000 |
10 | Bank of Innovation | ¥7,421,000 | ~$50,000 |
11 | Crooz | ¥7,290,000 | ~$49,000 |
12 | Nexon | ¥7,256,000 | ~$49,000 |
13 | Drecom | ¥7,188,223 | ~$48,000 |
14 | Konami Group Corporation | ¥7,108,375 | ~$48,000 |
15 | Digital Hearts Holdings | ¥6,743,000 | ~$45,000 |
16 | Colopl | ¥6,719,000 | ~$45,000 |
17 | Imagineer | ¥6,528,603 | ~$44,000 |
18 | KLab | ¥6,449,000 | ~$43,000 |
19 | MyNet | ¥6,339,917 | ~$42,000 |
20 | FuRyu | ¥6,231,302 | ~$42,000 |
Despite continuing to lead the gaming industry in wages, companies such as Sony, Bandai Namco, and Nintendo, are now being joined by mobile and online gaming developers like Akatsuki, DeNA, and GungHo. The latter, while not well-known in the West, are now providing competitive remuneration.
This ranking gives a look into how various companies reward their employees in one of the most influential gaming markets on the planet and it might just influence where aspiring developers aim to land their next job.
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