4. Composer / audio designer

Oh, what a boring, lifeless existence this would be without music.

Thing is, we can say the same about games. Without music, things are just a little less exciting. There’s nothing like a booming, orchestral crescendo to deliver the gravity of a huge space battle into the comforts of your own room… or the staccato tinkling of a piano to remind you that somewhere in the mansion, there’s an evil force lurking in the darkness, just waiting for you to deliver yourself into its arms.

Today’s games boast some of the greatest music ever composed, and we have no one else to thank but the talented composers behind them. The reason video game music is so memorable is because they often capture the essence of humanity’s highest ideals, from valor to sacrifice. And those that don’t attempt to express such lofty messages simply make sure you have a damn good time.

But music isn’t the only way to go when it comes to video game careers. Audio engineers and audio designers also create a variety of sounds for games, from sound effects (explosions, death cries, etc.) to the bleeps, bloops, and other pleasant noises you hear every time you open the menu.

Audio engineers and designers must know how to use various software sound editing and mixing software. They can earn up to $81,000 per year.