Pro gamers Yearly salary averages at $21k in Korea, majority dissatisfied
Based on a recent survey conducted by one of Korea’s Research Institutes (KCIRI) that involved 51 KeSPA pro gamers over a period of 2 months starting from July, it was noted that the average salaries of eSports players is $21,138, and the majority of pro gamers were dissatisfied with this.
37.37% of the players responded with either “Slightly dissatisfied” or “Very dissatisfied” when asked about the satisfaction and quality of their income. None responded with “Very satisfied” and only 19.61% responded as “Slightly satisfied”.
The players’ negative responses to their current salary tied into their desire to move and play overseas. As 68% (34 players) responded “Yes” to the survey question asking if they had any desires to take their careers overseas.
Other figures include 9.8% (5 people) of the sample size of 51 were over the age of 25. A total of 58.8% of the players were between the ages of 20~25. 31.4% were under the age of 20.
The most drastic difference was in the salary for players over the age of 25, accumulating to a yearly salary of $6,788 compared to the $25,985 salary for players between 20~25.
The study reported that players are motivated to profit as much as possible before the age of 25 when the pressures of financial ability and retirement start to play a factor, and that they see a move overseas as one of the ways they could succeed in making such a profit.
