10 Esports Careers You Can Pursue

Updated February 3, 2023

Through the continuous development of video game technology, esports have created a variety of careers that welcome different backgrounds, education levels and experience. Whether you're hoping to referee esports events or manage and market products toward esports fans and players, there are many opportunities to work and play in the esports field. In this article, we discuss why people choose an esports career, how to pursue one and list 10 jobs you can find in the esports industry.

Why do people choose an esports career?

Many individuals are choosing a career in esports because of its booming industry, exciting work atmosphere and occupations with transferable skills. Because esports is still a growing field of entertainment business, there can be a lot of start-up companies and roles that might have several entry-level openings. Some of those positions and roles can provide you with helpful training and knowledge that you can use for similar jobs and occupations in other areas of business and media. It can also provide you with connections and experience to pursue more job opportunities in the future.

For example, while working as a self-made journalist or broadcaster for esports events, you can create a powerful portfolio with your written and visual content to help you apply for journalist positions at reputable news outlets and media corporations. If you're working as a web content specialist or social media manager for a professional video game player, you can add the experience to your resume to help boost your qualifications and make you more noticeable to companies and freelance clients.

How to pursue an esports career

Here is a list of steps you can pursue to start your esports career:

1. Develop a versatile skill set

Because of the large number of start-up companies and organizations within the esports industry, a lot of businesses and employers may be looking for candidates with a wide-range of skills and knowledge. If you're looking to work as a journalist, social media manager or marketing representative, it's important to improve your skills in marketing and advertising and practice your written and verbal communication, graphic design and video production skills. Applying with an extensive set of techniques and beneficial knowledge can impress companies and help make your applications more noticeable.

2. Create a strong portfolio

When looking to apply for esports positions, it can be helpful to put together a strong portfolio that can demonstrate your skills and abilities. If you're applying for a writing position, consider narrowing down your previous work to two or three sound pieces and sending those to companies and businesses. For example, if you're applying to a news website that specializes in content on esports tournaments, considering sending them an article or two that is most relevant to that topic, or consider writing a mock article on that subject that could be used for their website.

If you're applying for a broadcasting position, consider putting together a demo reel of your past broadcasting or on-camera experience. Editing together a quick one to two-minute video can provide companies and news outlets with a sound idea on your broadcasting capabilities and see if you might be a strong fit for the open position.

3. Attend esports events

Attending esports events and tournaments can allow you to network with other esports professionals or find occupational mentors that might help you develop skills and pursue an esports position in the future. During these events, consider approaching different industry experts and politely asking them if they would have time to discuss their career journey and how you can follow a similar path. These events and tournaments can also help you learn more about the esports reporting and marketing process and gain powerful insight and knowledge you can use to generate your own writing or broadcasting content.

Esports career job list

Here is a list of 10 jobs and positions in the esports industry you can pursue:

1. Referee

National average salary: $13.87 per hour

Primary duties: Referees are responsible for judging sports and games impartially and enforcing rules and play violations. Their job often requires quick thinking, communication skills and an extensive knowledge of certain sports and athletic events. Referees also have the ability to eject players from the game if they refuse to cooperate, or break too many rules.

2. Booking agent

National average salary: $15.89 per hour

Primary duties: Booking agents work with actors, artists and professional gamers to help them find gigs, jobs and other paying events to support their clients' careers. During their work, booking agents will often scout for new talent, contact event managers, production studios and media outlets about jobs, and negotiate contracts on behalf of their clients.

3. Marketing executive

National average salary: $3,756 per month

Primary duties: A marketing executive oversees the marketing department and staff of companies and organizations. They'll often use their knowledge of the market and consumers to predict costs, customer demand and the media's response to their advertised goods and services. Their daily responsibilities can include conducting and analyzing research data, compiling important financial and budget information and presenting influential marketing strategies.

4. Journalist

National average salary: $35,408 per year

Primary duties: Journalists often work for newspapers and other forms of publications to create stories and reports on important news and events. Most often, a journalist presents the information in their articles and pieces to allow readers to form their own opinions on the subjects. They can create content for different media platforms including television, print, radio and online websites or news sources.

5. Event planner

National average salary: $40,919 per year

Primary duties: An event planner designs and oversees the set-up and execution of networking, charity and other events. During their workday, event planners might brainstorm and plan event spaces and schedules, contact and negotiate prices with vendors and generate event budgets and other important financial information.

6. Social media manager

National average salary: $44,874 per year

Primary duties: A social media manager oversees a company's or individual's social media presence and online brand. They help to create a positive public reputation for their client or organization in the hopes of generating business or increasing consumer outreach. Their daily responsibilities can include drafting and posting social media messages, advertising events and products through social media platforms and networking with other companies and businesses to form social media marketing campaigns.

7. Broadcaster

National average salary: $52,401 per year

Primary duties: Broadcasters work in newscast media reporting news and other information through radio, television or internet sources. Their responsibilities can include writing and directing news stories, anchoring news productions, researching leads and conducting voice-over work.

8. Web content specialist

National average salary: $52,493 per year

Primary duties: A web content specialist helps to develop marketing materials and copy to promote a company's or organization's products and brand through websites, blogs and social media posts. During their workday, they might meet with clients and company executives to determine their brand and marketing goals, write copy using search engine optimization and submit copy and written content for review.

9. Sales manager

National average salary: $78,906 per year

Primary duties: A sales manager often oversees a staff of sales associates, helping them meet their selling quota and generate revenue for a company or organization. Their responsibilities can include providing the sales team with potential customer leads, assisting in the development of selling skills and techniques and assigning specific selling locations for each team member.

10. Product manager

National average salary: $102,624 per year

Primary duties: A product manager implements a company's product or good into the market and helps to fulfill the business's expectations and goals for the product's revenue generation. During product campaigns, they'll often research customer needs and work closely with the marketing, development and sales teams to ensure they meet profit and customer satisfaction objectives.