As extended reality (XR) tech – encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) – evolves and applications multiply, fresh opportunities for VR and AR jobs abound.
With the global extended reality market expected to reach $394 billion by 2030, XR innovations continue to fuel a surge in career prospects across diverse sectors, including healthcare, entertainment, construction, military, automotive, and retail. As such, in-demand skills and exciting job openings motivate a new wave of tech enthusiasts to upskill and pivot into a career in extended reality.
Are you considering a career switch into XR? Curious which jobs are in demand and their potential salaries? You’re in the right place. Let’s explore 7 great jobs in VR and AR.
XR Careers
As mentioned, in this article we will look at 7 in-demand AR and VR jobs. More specifically, we will look at:
XR Developer
Software Developer
AR/VR Maintenance and Support Technician
XR Designer
Software Engineer
Product Manager
XR Gameplay Engineer
1. XR Developer
Source: eLearning Industry
XR developers play a pivotal role in shaping how we work, learn, and engage with the world around us. They use their coding wizardry and understanding of VR, AR, and MR technologies to craft immersive experiences, whether exploring far-off galaxies, scaling mountaintops, or encountering fantastical creatures.
Source: Blippar
Beyond the realm of entertainment, XR developers enhance everyday life by creating AR apps that offer real-time information overlays, aiding navigation and enriching experiences. They also design training simulations that allow professionals to practice complex tasks in a risk-free environment.
Skill Requirements
XR developers should possess the following skillsets:
Application development experience: Demonstrated experience in developing responsive applications, especially in 3D and animation development, typically within Agile Scrum engineering teams.
Design skills: Some employers also value developers with design skills, including UX/UI design and an understanding of user-centered design principles.
XR platform proficiency: Moderate to advanced ability in at least one XR platform, such as Unity or other emerging products, is essential.
Programming experience: Highly skilled in programming languages such as C#, C++, Java, or similar languages. Any relevant programming certification is advantageous.
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $79,414/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $95,306/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
2. Software Developer
Source: Arian Darvishi
All companies investing in, testing, or venturing into XR will need XR software developers. For an industry growing so fast, the demand for developers will be quite exponential. However, the skills required to excel in this line of work will be just as dynamic as the industry’s growth. While most employers require you to code in C# and C++, the more languages you can work with, the better.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills for this job include:
Two to five years of experience in VR, AR, or MR
Practical experience with Unity
Experience developing for Oculus, Vive, and other platforms
C# development experience
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $135,750/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $107,422/yr.
Australia: The average base salary in Australia is $113,224/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
3. AR/VR Maintenance and Support Technicians
Source: Eddie Kopp
Over time, equipment users have figured that unplanned production downtime is often due to factors not related to the machine’s age. Machine-age accounted for only 11 percent of machine failures in factories. The reality is that most equipment failures result from invasive predictive maintenance tasks, installation errors, and inappropriate repairs. Hence, factories use AR to reduce machine repair errors and improve their precision maintenance. That’s where AR/VR maintenance and support technicians come in. In this role, you’d ensure that AR/VR devices run smoothly. You’d also use your AR/VR expertise to educate maintenance and repair support staff on how to use AR technology for their duties.
Skill Requirements
Professionals in AR/VR maintenance and support should possess the following skillsets:
Technical knowledge: A strong understanding of AR/VR technologies, 3D modelling tools (such as MAYA, 3D MAX, and Autodesk 3D), and maintenance practices for computer systems using Unity and other AR/VR systems.
Problem-solving skills: Ability to identify and troubleshoot issues related to AR/VR systems and equipment, and develop innovative solutions to improve maintenance practices.
Attention to detail: The ability to spot inconsistencies at a granular level is crucial to reduce machine repair errors and run accurate maintenance processes.
Communication skills: Effective communication skills are important for collaborating with team members, conveying technical information, and providing training or support to end-users.
In some cases, employers do not explicitly require you to have C# programming skills or experience with a game engine, but your chances of winning employment are higher with those skills.
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base pay in Canada is $59,000/yr.
USA: The average base pay in the USA is $43,962/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
4. XR Designer
Source: Dubl
XR designers help organizations marry graphics and computer vision research. They work with artists and designers to build and improve on experiential prototypes, develop new visualizations and effects, and are responsible for their company’s 3d asset standards.
Skill Requirements
Professionals in XR design should possess the following skillsets:
Application development experience: Moderate to advanced level of experience in developing responsive applications, especially in 3D and animation development.
Design skills: Strong design skills, including UX/UI design, interaction design, and an understanding of user-focused design principles.
XR platform proficiency: Basic to moderate knowledge in at least one XR platform, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, or another emerging product, is necessary.
Programming experience: While only sometimes mandatory, having a solid understanding of programming languages such as C#, C++, Java, or similar languages can be advantageous for XR designers.
Accelerate your education with the Game Development Bootcamp
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $66,279/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $67,822/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
5. Software Engineer
Source: NESA by Makers
Software Engineers in Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Realities are core parts of a company’s R&D team. They develop new software and build features that make disparate XR tools work together. Moreover, they work with both software and hardware components of VR/AR/MR products.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills for this job include:
Systems programming in C#, C++, Objective-C, Swift, etc
Experience working with multiple operating systems
Research skills
Server programming experience
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $132,540/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $122,575/yr.
Australia: The average base salary in Australia is $120,000/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
6. Product Manager
Source: Mimi Thian
Project managers lead product teams through the ideation, development, and launch of new XR products for developers or consumers. Brings organizational thinking into teams and develops structures for them to achieve their goals.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills and experience for this job include:
Five to ten years in product management
Experience in collaborating on projects with teams of designers, prototypers, product testers, and engineers.
Lead customer experience and work environment
Establish project frameworks
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $146,560/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $125,000/yr.
Australia: The average base salary in Australia is $135,000/yr.
Note: Your actual salary may vary depending on experience, skillset, employer, and region.
7. XR Gameplay Engineer
Source: Laurens Derks
This person is responsible for building debugging, authoring, and profiling tools. They empower developers with solutions that lower their software iteration time. More so, they help to improve developer tools and boost their workflow efficiency.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills and experience for this job include:
Three or more years of experience writing in python, C, and Java languages
Experiences with Vulkan, OpenGL, or DirectX
A Mathematics or Computer Sciences degree, or their equivalent
Average Annual Salary
Canada: The average base salary in Canada is $91,630/yr.
USA: The average base salary in the USA is $98,461/yr.
Where do You Go From Here
If you already have the skills and qualifications that these companies seek, go ahead, take the jobs. However, if you’re considering, planning, or making a career switch, then you want the best training in this field. If you’re already in the field and want to improve your skills to become more competitive, some training will help too.
For those looking to make the switch, accelerate your education and start to develop the skills you need to thrive. Check out the Game Development Bootcamp.
If you’re already in the industry and are looking to upskill. Check out the 10 week XR Development, and Interaction Design and Prototyping for XR courses.
Editors note: This blog was originally published September 15, 2022. The contents of this blog have been updated.
