The esports community has experienced tremendous growth over the years, metamorphosing from a simple gaming niche to a fast-growing multi-billion-dollar industry. In 2024, this ever-growing industry now features multiple job opportunities that pay handsomely, making it an an absolute blast for jumping on the esports career train.

The demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high, and the esports industry isn’t left behind. Regardless of your skillset, there’s likely an esports job that fits you perfectly. This article will outline some of the top esports career opportunities in 2024. We’ll also offer you insights into the roles, responsibilities, educational and skill requirements needed to break into esports.

Top Esports Career Opportunities

There are countless career opportunities in the world of esports; here are some of the most in-demand esports career opportunities in 2024:

Professional Player

This career path is one of the most popular jobs in esports. Professional gamers compete in local and international esports competitions. If you’re a hardcore gamer, this role is perfect for you.

Like most skilled jobs, you must be highly talented and pretty good at what you do to become a pro gamer. You’d be up against the best of the best in the industry, and you’d have to outplay them to have a shot at winning prizes.

Going pro is easy; you compete in tournaments and emerge as a winner. Joining an esports team can boost your chances of going pro and allow you to compete in team tournaments.

Pro gamers get paid well for having fun and doing what they love. On average, they make about $123,552 annually. However, earnings vary according to factors like social media following, endorsements, advertisements, etc. Winning tournaments with massive prize pools also increases a pro gamer’s earnings.

Game Developer

Each year brings forth countless new games for you and me to enjoy. However, these games don’t just appear out of thin air. Someone builds them. Yep, those are the game developers.

Game developers are responsible for bringing the writer’s idea to life. They design, program, and provide regular updates to games.

Game development is the most technical job in esports. You need a specific skill set to get into this sector, e.g., strong knowledge of programming languages, design techniques, and game-building tools. A degree in computer science or game design is also a big plus.

Creativity and problem-solving abilities are also required in game development. All this sounds too complex, but it’s worth it. Game developers are among the elite earners in esports, earning over $108,896 annually.

Referee/Admin

Referees are officials charged with upholding the rules in any sport. Esports referees are no different. They establish the rules at the start of a game or tournament and ensure competitors adhere to them. They also penalize defaulters and declare winners at the end of a tournament.

To become a referee, you need in-depth knowledge of the sport you’re refereeing. Quick decision-making is necessary, as you’ll be called to make decisive calls in split seconds. You should also have good communication and interpersonal skills to resolve issues between players.

There isn’t a clear path to becoming an esports referee; most start as volunteers in local tournaments to garner experience and popularity. In no time, work your way into officiating higher-grade tourneys. 

Esports Shout Casters/Host

If you’ve ever watched any sporting tournament through live TV, you’ll notice a couple of nice guys and gals running commentary in the background. In esports, we call those friendly folks shout casters.

Shout casters provide live commentary during an esports tournament and run lines before and after a match. They increase the atmosphere of a game. I, for one, can’t bear to watch a match without commentary. If you enjoy talking about a game you love, shout casting might be the perfect job.

Similar to a TV host, shout casters need a good command of the commentary language and excellent communication skills. You should be able to share your live experiences of the match with the audience by just speaking. 

Like referees, you must volunteer at local tournaments, build your profile and popularity, and wait for the bigger gigs to come knocking.

Team Manager/Owner

Esports managers are responsible for managing all aspects of an esports team. They ensure that their teams are equipped with the means to be successful. Team managers handle everything, from hiring top players to creating contracts and developing tournament strategies.

To become a successful team manager, you must possess core competencies such as excellent communication, strategic planning, and the ability to lead a team and make crucial decisions. It would help if you were also an expert in financial management to prevent your team from going bankrupt.

The barrier for entry is relatively low; you don’t need a diploma or a minimum year of study. In truth, a combination of deep knowledge of the sport and core competencies can make you a seasoned esports manager in no time. 

However, you’ll need training to develop as an esports manager. The pinnacle of an esports manager’s career is creating their very own team.

Streamer 

Streamers are gamers who record themselves playing a match live and stream it online to an audience through social media. They aren’t always pro gamers, just gamers with a knack for creating engaging gaming content. Good content creation skills are essential to keep your audience hooked.

All you need to become a streamer is a love for the game because you’ll be playing a hell of a lot of it. You’ll also need powerful gaming and recording equipment, such as a computer with a high graphics card, HD webcams, microphones, and, most importantly, a speedy Internet connection (you can’t have your audience watching a laggy stream).

Twitch and YouTube are the most popular platforms for esports streamers. Streamers can monetize their skills on these platforms by receiving ad revenue, brand endorsements, and advertisements. The bigger your audience, the higher the scale of your potential earnings.

Booking Agent 

Booking agents increase their clients’ exposure and revenue by securing gigs for esports professionals and teams. They also manage the schedules of esports professionals, allowing players to attend tournaments or conventions without the hassle of making their timetables.

They also manage contract negotiations such as endorsements, appearances, and sponsorship.

Becoming an esports booking agent requires in-depth industry knowledge, including learning about tournaments, players, and teams. Your communication skills must also be top-notch to build and maintain fruitful client relationships.

A strong grasp of negotiation and sales would be handy, as it will help you secure favorable contract terms for your clients. 

Starting a career as a booking agent requires you to take up an entry-level role. This role usually acts as a coordinator in a small talent agency, allowing you to gain experience in booking and client management.

With enough experience, you can take up more advanced mid-level and senior roles.

Esports Journalist

An esports journalist documents the news and events in the esports industry. They attend and report on events, conduct interviews with players, fans, team managers, etc., and use their experience gained from such events to create content that keeps the esports community informed.

An esports journalist researches and analyzes the industry, presenting unbiased opinions based on the data gathered. 

Journalists need to stay independent; affiliation with competing teams would only taint the credibility of such journalists. 

In addition to journalistic integrity, journalists must be well-versed in esports and have excellent writing and communication skills to convey their messages to the community properly.

You can kickstart your esports journalism career by taking up an entry-level writing job or starting as a freelance writer. In time and with enough experience, move on as a full-time staff writer for a prominent gaming publication or choose to be a content creator.

Sales Manager

An esports sales manager is responsible for generating and increasing the revenue stream of an esports professional or team. A sales manager can generate revenue through sponsorships, partnerships, and other endorsements in the esports industry.

To become a successful esports sales manager, you must have an exceptional sales record and strong negotiation and closing skills. You also need to have a knack for persuading customers and strong interpersonal skills to help maintain relationships with clients.

Starting your esports career as a sales manager requires taking up an entry-level sales role or an internship to gain experience. In time, you can progress to mid-level and senior sales roles. 

Event Planner

An esports event planner organizes and executes esports tournaments, competitions, and other related events. 

They have a range of responsibilities, including developing the concept and theme of an esports event, logistics management (venue selection and equipment coordination), marketing and promotion, etc.

Esports event planners possess strong organizational and time management skills, which enable them to meet project deadlines. They’re also very attentive to details when organizing an event’s logistics. 

You can’t entirely organize an esports tournament if you have no idea of a standard tournament structure or the teams and players competing. Most successful esports event planners familiarize themselves with the industry.

Like any esports career opportunity, you must build your career from the ground up. Start by organizing local events within your neighborhood that’ll attract some small-town gamers. 

When you feel comfortable with your skills, you can offer your services to more prominent esports companies, allowing you to organize larger tournaments with bigger prize pools.

Marketing Executive/Public Relations

Marketing executives are in massive demand in the esports industry. These executives are responsible for growing the popularity of an esports professional, team, or brand. A good PR team can help reshape an esports entity’s public identity. 

To break into the marketing aspect of esports, you need specific qualifications, such as a degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field. 

Aside from educational qualifications, it would help if you were well-versed in digital marketing practices such as SEO, PPC, and email marketing. Strong communication and analytical skills coupled with an in-depth knowledge of esports can set you up to become a very successful marketing executive.

If you’re breaking into the esports PR industry, you have limitless potential to elevate your career. Esports is a fast-growing industry that is only going to get bigger. If you can hone your skills, it’s really up to you to decide how far you want to go.

Social Media Manager

A social media manager is tasked with managing the online presence of an esports professional or team. They ensure that an esports team has an active social media presence to help them connect with fans worldwide. 

This position requires a mix of skill sets, including content creation, marketing, and a bit of esports journalism. You must be proficient in managing multiple social media platforms, such as Twitter (X), TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

It’s crucial to have an updated knowledge of the mechanics of a social media algorithm, which will enable you to create content tailored to your target audience. Strong writing and editing skills are essential for creating content, captions, and posts. 

Social media is a crucial aspect of esports. It helps build brand awareness and keeps your community engaged regardless of their location.

Production Crew/Broadcaster

Esports production crews are responsible for providing high-quality video coverage of esports tournaments and competitions. They ensure that fans from all over the globe can spectate tournaments without being physically present in the tournament location.

Esports production crews must be familiar with broadcasting and streaming equipment, proficient in using this equipment to create high-quality video and audio, and proficient in production software like OBS, Adobe Creative Suite, vMix, and many others.

If you have basic knowledge of video production, you can kickstart your esports broadcasting career by offering coverage for small-scale tournaments. While doing this, build your social media by updating it with the gigs you’ve undertaken. 

With time, you can grow your production career to a level where you can now take up broadcasting gigs for major tournaments.

Web Content Specialist

A web Content specialist is similar to an esports journalist. They’re both tasked with creating independent esports content, but the significant difference is that a web content specialist narrows their content delivery to just websites.

A good web content specialist must have a strong command of the language they’re writing in and exceptional writing skills. They must also be familiar with various writing tools and techniques that help create engaging content for esports websites.

Starting an esports career as a web content specialist requires a solid portfolio to show future employers the quality of your writing. A portfolio doesn’t need to contain paid writing projects; they can be pieces you’ve written in your spare time. As long as it’s esports-related, it’s part of your portfolio.

You can work remotely as a freelance writer by applying for jobs on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Indeed, or you can become a staff writer for an esports publication.

Product Manager

Esports enterprises looking to launch products require the services of product managers. A product manager oversees esports products’ development, launch, and improvement. 

To become a product manager, you need a fair share of knowledge on several key aspects. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the software development process, have the business acumen to conduct market and customer analysis, and be familiar with project management, e.g., scrum or agile methodologies.

You can start your career as a product manager in esports by applying for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of product management. After gaining on-the-job experience, you can use such knowledge in more advanced product management roles.

Legal/Finance Expert

Esports teams require the services of legal experts regardless of their size. Legal experts help teams create and manage contracts, resolve disputes, and offer legal advice. Teams also require the services of qualified financial experts to monitor the flow of cash within the company.

Legal experts are required to have a degree in Law, political science, or any related discipline. In addition, you should also be licensed, have little hands-on experience, and engage in continuous legal education (CLE). 

Finance experts, on the other hand, need to have a degree in finance, economics, business, or any related discipline. You can boost your credibility by getting one financial certification, e.g., CFA, CPA, or CMA.

Legal and finance experts are crucial components of an esports enterprise. A legal expert manages risk compliance, contract management, and intellectual property protection (copyright), while a finance expert takes care of revenue management, financial planning, and budgeting.

How to Start an Esports Career

Breaking into the esports industry requires a blend of education, networking, and experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide showing you how to start an esports career:

Identify your Area of Interest

There are countless job opportunities in esports. This article lists quite a few, such as pro gamers, streamers, game developers, etc.

It would be best to find what interests you and what you enjoy doing. Once you identify that, you can proceed to acquire the skills needed to break into the industry.

Acquire Relevant Education & Skills 

Formal education isn’t necessary in esports, but some jobs demand it. An alternative way of acquiring knowledge on esports is through certifications. 

Irrespective of the esports area you wish to break into, you’ll always find online courses related to your desired field.

Acquiring the knowledge isn’t enough; you need to hone your skills by practicing individually.

Gather Experience 

Once you’ve overcome the hurdle of acquiring the basic skills needed to break into esports, it’s time to rack up experience.  

Internships are a great way to gather experience. They help you get hands-on experience, which sometimes comes with a salary. You can also volunteer at local gaming tournaments to showcase your skills and gain practical experience.

Connect with Individuals Within the Industry 

Connecting with like-minded individuals within the esports industry will help you build a network of professionals, which can be handy at any time.

You can connect with such individuals at tournaments, meetups, seminars, etc. Joining online communities is also a form of networking. Many esports communities exist on Twitter (X), Telegram, and Discord servers.

Stay Informed 

The esports industry is ever-changing. What’s new today might become obsolete in a very short time. 

You can keep up with the latest esports news by following websites, esports blogs, and popular esports social media influencers. 

In addition to staying informed, you must learn continuously to adapt to the constantly changing esports industry.

Build your Brand

It’s essential to have an active online presence on various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. This interaction will help you showcase your work to prospective employers and clients.

Apply to Jobs

This step is the pinnacle of starting your esports career. Once you’re at this stage, you’re ready to break into the labor market and start offering your skills.

You can source for jobs using esports job boards and websites or check the career pages of popular esports companies to see if any vacancies appeal to you. 

You can also utilize connections from people you’ve connected with at tournaments, competitions, and other esports events to source for jobs.

Top Esport Career Salaries

The esports industry boasts many high-paying jobs, but each has different earning potential. For example, the average salary of a game developer is about $100,000 compared to that of an esports journalist, which is about $51,000 per year.

There isn’t a flat rate for an esports career salary, but we can answer a question that’s been searched countless times on Google: “Which esports career makes the most money?”

Here’s a list of the top 5 earning careers in esports:

1. Streamers (average salary of $128,000 which also depends on your audience numbers)
2. Professional players (average salary of $123,000)
3. Product managers (average salary of $110,00)
4. Game developers (average salary of $108,000)
5. Esports analysts (average salary of $90,000)

It’s important to note that these figures are subject to changes according to inflation and other factors. Some common factors that determine the earnings of esports professionals include:

• Experience 

Esports professionals with vast experience are primed to earn more than newbies breaking into the industry.

• Demand

If the demand for your skill is relatively high compared to its supply or availability, you’re bound to earn more compared to a job with low demand and continuous supply.

• Location

If you live in a country that’s not economically powerful, your earnings will be well below those living and working in more advanced countries. 

Why Should You Start an Esports Career?

Aside from the fact that it sounds cool, starting a career in esports is very rewarding and provides a certain satisfaction derived from the joy of working in an industry you love. Here are some of the significant benefits of becoming an esports professional:

• Rapid Growth and Opportunities 

Esports is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Its viewership, sponsorship, and investment are increasing.

Becoming a part of this industry opens you up to limitless job opportunities across different fields, such as marketing, game development, streaming, etc.

• Passion & Personal Satisfaction 

While doing what you love brings joy, there’s an even greater joy when you get paid for it. 

Starting a career in esports offers you personal satisfaction that can only be gotten from doing a job you love. 

Belonging to this industry allows you to actualize the dreams you’ve always had about being a part of esports.

• Lucrative Earnings

High-level esports executives and top players in the industry make stupendously high incomes. 

Pro gamers make hundreds of thousands of dollars from tournaments, talented game developers are among the top earners, and streamers make tons of money from ad revenue, sponsorships, advertisements, etc.

Your potential earnings can grow exponentially if you’re good at what you do. 

Wrap Up

The journey of esports’ emergence has been nothing short of exciting and captivating. With the industry’s rapid growth currently witnessing, it’s fair to say the future looks bright for esports.

Individuals with esports skills will likely dominate the industry, so it’s time to lock in your interest in esports and hone your skills to help you break into this ever-growing industry.

If you’re still unsure what esports career to break into, read through the article again and try to see what you’re passionate about and what you’d love to practice as a lifelong occupation. With time, you’ll see the clear path to choosing your esports career.