Nintendo Ranks Third in Top Japanese Game Companies for Average Yearly Income: Full 2024 List Revealed

Nintendo has been recognized as one of the top employers in Japan’s video game sector, securing the third position in a new ranking of average yearly income for Japanese game companies.

The data, compiled by Japanese software developer SalesNow, provides a comprehensive look at industry compensation between June 2024 and June 2025, using information from commercial and real estate registries, tax filings, government publications, and company disclosures.

This highlights not only the competitive landscape in Japan’s booming gaming industry but also underlines Nintendo’s role as a leading employer behind the acclaimed Nintendo Switch platform and blockbuster franchises. According to the newly released analysis, Nintendo reports an average yearly income of approximately 9,626,857 Japanese yen, which amounts to about $65,000 USD per employee.

Only Sony Group Corporation and Bandai Namco Holdings surpass Nintendo on the list, with Sony leading at around 11,132,231 yen ($75,000 USD) and Bandai Namco closely following at 10,950,000 yen ($74,000 USD).

Other leading names in the top ten include Sega Sammy Holdings, Capcom, and Koei Tecmo Holdings, all renowned for their influential contributions to the global gaming landscape. SalesNow’s ranking for 2024 spotlights the following companies and their average annual incomes: 1.

Sony Group Corporation: 11,132,231 yen (~$75,000 USD) 2.

Bandai Namco Holdings: 10,950,000 yen (~$74,000 USD) 3.

Nintendo: 9,626,857 yen (~$65,000 USD) 4.

Sega Sammy Holdings: 8,791,596 yen (~$59,000 USD) 5.

Akatsuki: 8,557,000 yen (~$57,000 USD) 6.

DeNA: 8,540,000 yen (~$57,000 USD) 7.

Capcom: 8,328,000 yen (~$56,000 USD) 8.

Koei Tecmo Holdings: 8,105,686 yen (~$54,000 USD) 9.

GungHo Online Entertainment: 7,504,000 yen (~$50,000 USD) 10.

Bank of Innovation: 7,421,000 yen (~$50,000 USD) Following closely are companies like Crooz, Nexon, Drecom, and Konami Group Corporation, with average yearly incomes ranging from 7,290,000 to 7,108,375 yen (approximately $49,000 to $48,000 USD), demonstrating the depth of talent and investment in the Japanese gaming sector. An analysis of the findings reveals not just competitive salaries but also reflects the enduring appeal and financial stability of developers like Nintendo, especially given the company’s recent efforts to retain 98 percent of its workforce at its Japanese headquarters.

This high retention rate underlines Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to its staff, highlighting a workplace culture that values employee satisfaction and long-term growth alongside its creative legacy. The 2024 ranking by SalesNow, which is publicly accessible thanks to thorough sourcing from registries, government disclosures, and company filings, offers valuable insight into the financial health of Japan’s leading game developers.

It serves as an essential reference for stakeholders in the international gaming industry, from potential employees to investors tracking the success of hardware platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the ongoing slate of new titles showcased at Nintendo Direct presentations. As the Japanese game development community continues to drive innovation and set benchmarks for compensation, companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Bandai Namco remain pivotal.

Their investment in talent ensures the sustained delivery of high-quality games and interactive experiences that have defined the modern gaming landscape.

Capcom Nintendo SEGA Bandai Namco Japan Sony Namco Bandai Koei Tecmo SalesNow DeNA Konami Nexon GungHo Online Entertainment Akatsuki