New salary data for the UK esports industry shows continued upward pressure on compensation, with professionals seeing 10-15% increases compared to 2024.
Salary Growth by Role
Based on our research and industry data, here are the current UK esports salary ranges:
Management & Operations - **Head of Esports**: £65,000 - £95,000 (+12% YoY) - **Esports Manager**: £40,000 - £60,000 (+10% YoY) - **Operations Manager**: £35,000 - £50,000 (+8% YoY) - **Team Manager**: £30,000 - £45,000 (+10% YoY)
Commercial & Marketing - **Partnership Director**: £55,000 - £80,000 (+15% YoY) - **Marketing Manager**: £38,000 - £55,000 (+12% YoY) - **Social Media Manager**: £28,000 - £40,000 (+8% YoY)
Content & Production - **Head of Content**: £45,000 - £65,000 (+10% YoY) - **Video Producer**: £30,000 - £45,000 (+8% YoY) - **Broadcast Producer**: £35,000 - £50,000 (+12% YoY)
Coaching & Analysis - **Head Coach**: £45,000 - £80,000 (+15% YoY) - **Assistant Coach**: £30,000 - £45,000 (+10% YoY) - **Analyst**: £28,000 - £42,000 (+8% YoY)
Why Salaries Are Rising
Several factors drive salary growth:
- Talent Scarcity - Experienced esports professionals remain rare
- Competition - Organisations competing for limited talent pool
- Professionalisation - Industry maturing with higher standards
- External Investment - Non-endemic brands bringing corporate budgets
- Retention Focus - Companies paying more to keep key staff
Regional Variations
London-based roles typically command 15-20% premium over other UK locations. However, remote work has partially flattened this differential, with some organisations offering location-agnostic salaries.
Negotiation Tips
For those seeking salary increases:
- Benchmark - Use our salary guide to understand market rates
- Document Value - Track your achievements and impact
- Time It Right - Align requests with performance reviews or project completions
- Consider Total Compensation - Equity, bonuses, and benefits matter
- Be Prepared to Move - External offers often drive internal increases
For a complete breakdown, see our [UK Esports Salary Guide](/esports-salary-guide-uk).