Top 7 Highest Paying Game Testing Opportunities

Game testing is more than just fun - it’s a real job with great earning potential. You can make $10–$50 per hour as a tester, or even $30,000–$70,000 annually in full-time roles. Whether you’re testing mobile games, console games, or prototypes, there are plenty of platforms and companies offering rewarding opportunities. Here's a quick look at the top 7 highest-paying game testing opportunities:

• Supabucks: Earn up to $200 per task with instant PayPal payments.
• Betabound: Rewards like gift cards and exclusive items for testing early-access games.
• PlaytestCloud: Mobile game testing with $5–$9 per 15-minute test.
• Electronic Arts (EA): Full-time QA roles with salaries up to $58,000/year.
• Activision: QA testers earn $20–$33/hour or $67,711/year.
• Keywords Studios: Global opportunities with salaries varying by region.
• Ubisoft Playtest: Get $15–$25/hour or free games for providing feedback.

Quick Comparison Table

Platform/Company	Payment Type	Pay Range	Work Type
Supabucks	Task-based rewards	Up to $200/task	Flexible, online
Betabound	Rewards (gift cards)	Varies by project	Volunteer-based
PlaytestCloud	Per-test payment	$5–$9/test	Mobile game testing
Electronic Arts	Salary + benefits	$38K–$58K/year	Full-time/contract
Activision	Hourly/salary	$20–$33/hour	On-site QA roles
Keywords Studios	Hourly/salary	Varies by region	Remote/on-site
Ubisoft Playtest	Per-session payment	$15–$25/hour	Remote/in-studio

If you’re ready to start earning by testing games, this guide will show you how to get started, what to expect, and where to find the best opportunities.

6 Best Game Tester Jobs – Up to $67,000 for Testing Video Games

1. Supabucks

Supabucks is a game testing platform that uses a straightforward coin system where 1,000 coins equal $1.00. It stands out by offering up to $200 per task - a massive jump compared to the average rate of $20.63 per offer.

Payments are processed instantly via PayPal, and their 24/7 customer support makes it easy to track your earnings.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Start with smaller tasks to get familiar with the platform.
• Take on higher-paying offers as you gain confidence.
• Ensure tasks are completed within 30 days to secure your payment.

For context, game testers typically earn between $23,722 and $51,850 per year. Supabucks provides a flexible way to supplement your income while keeping tabs on your rewards in real time.

2. Betabound

Betabound, run by Centercode, connects testers with early access to games and rewards instead of direct cash payments. Most opportunities are volunteer-based, but participants can still earn perks like gift cards, free products, or exclusive items.

The platform offers three types of testing opportunities:

• Betabound Exclusives: High-value projects that often include rewards.
• Partner Betas: Tests directly from major gaming companies.
• Public Betas: Open testing opportunities from various developers.

Testers have reported earning rewards such as $140 and $100 for participating in specific tests. Depending on the project, rewards might include cash (via check), limited-edition merchandise, or other perks.

Tips for Success

• Optimize Your Profile: Include detailed gaming experience and tech specs to improve your chances of being selected.
• Respond Quickly: Act fast when you get email invitations to secure spots in premium projects.
• Focus on Premium Opportunities: Prioritize Betabound Exclusives for better rewards and acknowledgment for quality feedback.

Participants must be 18 or older and provide clear, detailed feedback. Betabound works with Centercode to offer opportunities across consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.

3. PlaytestCloud

PlaytestCloud offers a great option for those interested in testing mobile games. It’s a leading platform in the mobile gaming industry, working with 76% of the top video game studios. Their Player Insights Platform™ connects testers with developers and is trusted by over half of mobile games generating more than $5 billion.

Payment Structure

PlaytestCloud compensates testers well for their time. A 15-minute playtest, paired with a survey, typically pays between $5 and $9. Payments are processed within three days and can be received through various options:

Payment Method	Details
Virtual Gift Cards	Choose from multiple retailers
Virtual Bank Cards	Direct digital payment
PayPal	Quick and easy transfer
Charitable Donations	Contribute to a chosen cause

Getting Started

Joining PlaytestCloud is simple. Follow these steps to get started:

• Sign up on the official website.
• Complete a qualification test to demonstrate your skills.
• Once approved, start receiving paid testing opportunities.

Tips for Success

To make the most of your time on PlaytestCloud:

• Test in a quiet space and provide clear, continuous commentary.
• Complete all in-game tasks assigned during the test.
• Fill out surveys thoroughly with detailed feedback.
• Use a device with English language settings.

While PlaytestCloud isn’t meant to replace a full-time job, it’s a steady way to earn extra cash by testing mobile games. The platform supports iOS and Android games, including early-stage prototypes, offering a variety of gaming experiences across different genres.

Make sure to fully complete your profile and respond quickly to invitations to increase your chances of securing regular testing opportunities. These simple steps can help you make the most of this platform.

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4. Electronic Arts (EA)

Electronic Arts (EA) is a top gaming publisher that provides both full-time and contract game testing jobs. These roles come with clear growth paths and competitive pay. Here's a closer look at EA's compensation details and available positions.

Compensation Structure

EA's pay depends on the type of role and experience level:

Position Type	Starting Pay	Experienced Pay	Additional Perks
Entry-Level QA	$11.00/hour	Up to $14.00/hour	Shift differentials
Full-Time QA (0–3 years)	$38,000/year	$41,000/year	Full benefits package
Lead QA (3–6+ years)	$50,000/year	Up to $58,000/year	Performance bonuses

Available Positions

EA offers two main career paths for testers:

• Full-Time Positions
  These are permanent roles with full benefits, opportunities for growth, multiple shift options, and regular performance reviews with salary adjustments.
• Contract Positions
  Typically 90-day assignments, these roles may be extended and offer flexible schedules, along with the chance to work on different projects.

Requirements and Qualifications

To thrive as a game tester at EA, applicants should have:

• Strong analytical skills
• A basic understanding of game design
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• IT skills for tracking and reporting bugs
• The ability to stay focused on repetitive tasks

Testing Assessment Process

EA's hiring process includes a detailed evaluation of candidates' skills. Testers need to show they can:

• Systematically find and document bugs
• Provide clear, actionable feedback
• Work well both independently and on teams
• Successfully complete rigorous testing assessments

Tips for Boosting Earnings

If you're aiming to maximize your pay at EA, consider these tips:

• Apply for full-time roles to get access to better benefits and higher pay.
• Request a breakdown of the total compensation package to understand the full value of your offer.
• Opt for evening or night shifts to earn extra through shift differentials.

Next, we'll dive into how Activision approaches game testing and what makes their opportunities stand out.

5. Activision

Activision provides two main opportunities for game testers: a volunteer playtesting program and professional Quality Assurance (QA) positions. As of March 2025, full-time QA roles come with competitive pay.

Professional QA Positions

Here’s a breakdown of pay for Activision QA testers:

Position Type	Compensation
Entry-Level QA	$20.00 per hour
Average QA Tester	$33.00 per hour
Annual Salary	$67,711 per year

Since July 2022, Activision has transitioned nearly 1,100 temporary QA roles into full-time positions, reflecting its focus on career growth in game testing.

Salary Range Factors

Game testers at Activision typically earn between $59,735 and $74,104 annually. The exact pay depends on factors like:

• Location (Southern California is a key area)
• Departmental budgets
• Personal qualifications and certifications
• Years of experience
• Specialized technical skills

For those new to the field, Activision also provides a volunteer playtesting option.

Volunteer Playtesting Program

Volunteers can earn rewards such as Activision games, gift cards, apparel, or exclusive swag.

"As a token of our appreciation for volunteering to playtest and provide feedback, you may receive loot such as: Activision video games, Gift cards, Apparel, Other unique/exclusive swag"

Playtesting happens at the User Research Center in Sherman Oaks, CA, where participants give feedback on upcoming games.

Requirements for Success

To increase your chances of success at Activision:

• Regularly visit Activision's careers page
• Strengthen your analytical and documentation skills
• Build expertise in specific game genres
• Keep detailed testing logs
• Focus on delivering actionable feedback

With a minimum hourly rate of $20.00 (as of 2022), Activision shows a clear commitment to turning temporary roles into stable, full-time positions.

Next, let’s dive into Keywords International for another perspective on game testing careers.

6. Keywords Studios

Keywords Studios is a well-known name in the game testing world, operating over 70 facilities across 26 countries. They work with major players like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Ubisoft.

Salary Structure

In India, entry-level salaries for various testing roles (converted to U.S. dollars) are as follows:

Testing Role	Annual Salary Range	Experience Level
QA Tester	$2,500 – $6,250	0–3 years
Game Tester	$3,000 – $4,750	0–2 years
Quality Assurance Tester	$2,500 – $8,750	0–4 years
Manual Test Engineer	$3,000 – $4,000	0–2 years

Salaries in regions like the United States are generally higher than those in India.

Career Growth Opportunities

Keywords Studios supports career development through its Create, Globalize, and Engage Divisions. A Senior QA Analyst from their Gurgaon office shared:

"The company offers excellent career growth opportunities and international exposure, along with a healthy work-life balance, though salary packages could be more competitive".

Entry-Level Requirements

To apply for entry-level roles, candidates should meet these basic criteria:

• A bachelor's degree
• Strong attention to detail
• Critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication abilities
• Basic proficiency in MS Excel
• A passion for gaming

Testing Specializations

Keywords Studios provides opportunities in various specialized testing areas, including:

• Mobile Game Testing (iOS/Android)
• Console Testing (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo)
• PC Game Testing
• Localization Quality Assurance (LQA)

Choose the specialization that aligns with your interests before applying.

Application Process

You can apply through the Keywords Studios careers page by following these steps:

• Filter job listings by "Area of Work" and "Region."
• Select a testing role and preferred location.
• Submit your CV in English.
• Complete any required assessments.

Keywords Studios offers a wide range of opportunities for those looking to build a career in game testing, with roles that can lead to high-paying positions over time.

7. Ubisoft Playtest

Get paid to influence future Ubisoft games by participating in playtests, available both remotely and at 15 studios across nine countries.

How Much Can You Earn?

You can make $15–$25 per hour, depending on the length of the test. Payments come as cash, games, or a mix of both.

Who Can Join?

To qualify for Ubisoft Playtest, you’ll need to meet these criteria:

• Age: Be at least 16 years old (kids aged 3–16 can join with parental consent).
• Account: Have an active Ubisoft account.
• Agreement: Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
• Travel: Be open to traveling to a Ubisoft studio for in-person tests, if needed.

What’s the Testing Like?

Here’s how a Ubisoft Montréal representative explains the experience:

"It's a chance to help improve our games by sharing your player experience with us. Instead of playing in your living room, we invite you to play in one of our testing rooms! First, you need to understand: It's not you we're testing, it's our games."

How to Apply

1. Visit playtest.ubisoft.com and update your Ubisoft account.
2. Complete your profile and select the studio closest to you.
3. Keep an eye on your email for invitations.
4. Respond quickly and prepare for a screening call.

The best part? You don’t need technical skills or years of gaming experience to join. Ubisoft Playtest is open to all gamers, making it an easy way to earn money while shaping future game releases.

Conclusion

Here’s a quick rundown of earning opportunities and steps to kickstart your game testing journey.

Earning Potential Overview

Platform/Company	Work Type	Payment Structure
Betabound	Various Games	Project-based rewards
Electronic Arts	Full-time QA	Salary + benefits
PlaytestCloud	Mobile Games	Per-test payment
Keywords International	Remote/On-site	Hourly/salary
Activision	On-site Testing	Hourly + benefits
Ubisoft Playtest	Remote/In-studio	Per-session payment
Supabucks	Game/App Testing	Task-based rewards

Use this as a starting point to explore your options.

Action Plan

The video game industry is set to hit $300 billion in revenue by 2025. Here’s how you can prepare yourself to thrive in this growing field:

• Start Small: Begin with beginner-friendly platforms to gain experience while earning. Focus on providing clear and actionable feedback.
• Broaden Your Scope: Keep active profiles on multiple platforms, respond quickly to opportunities, and track your progress to showcase your work.
• Build Expertise: Learn bug reporting techniques, familiarize yourself with QA tools, and create a portfolio of test reports. Consider pursuing QA certifications to stand out.

Expert Guidance

Look for roles that align with your availability. Full-time positions at major companies offer annual salaries ranging from $30,000 to $70,000, along with benefits. Focus on delivering high-quality feedback, meeting deadlines, and fostering professional relationships. Start at the entry level and climb the ladder as you gain more experience and skills.