From hobby to career: The rise of esports jobs in China

"Earning money by playing games" is no longer a new thing in China. From soaring player salaries to cities that come alive with game-themed branding during major events, esports has firmly established itself as a growth priority in both government reports and public policy. As the games and wider esports industry matures and enters the mainstream, a brand-new era of employment is quietly unfolding.

Against the backdrop of a maturing digital economy, the rise of esports as a key segment of China's digital consumption is gaining momentum, driven by massive engagement and rapid commercialization. The esports job market has followed suit in this transition. China's esports industry generated 29.33 billion yuan (about $4.19 billion) in revenue in 2025, up 6.4% from the year prior, and its user base now exceeds 495 million, according to an official industry report. This solid growth has spawned a diverse range of occupations. In addition to increasingly professional and standardized roles in game development, team operations, event execution and content creation, emerging professions such as esports education, esports peripherals and esports companions are also becoming more prevalent and professional.

Amid the professionalization of the esports industry, traditional positions such as game development and event operations typically require five to 10 years of work experience. 

New professions, such as "esports instructors," have precisely filled the experience gap for young people. These roles support both full-time and part-time arrangements with flexible schedules, opening up new employment paths for young people. College students and recent graduates can now directly monetize their passion and expertise. Furthermore, the shift toward online work allows young adults in third- and fourth-tier cities to achieve income parity with their peers in major metropolises.

This burgeoning of new professions relies on sound policy regulation and guidance.

Shanghai has established a four-level assessment system covering ideological awareness, legal literacy and professional capabilities to promote the standardized transformation of the esports companion. 

Since the job specification was adopted, practitioners must pass theoretical examinations, practical assessments and professional literacy evaluations to obtain certification before taking up posts. Many college students use this flexible role to cover daily expenses and ease financial burdens for their families. Policy support has not only improved the social recognition of this profession but also endowed it with genuine social value.

Talent development sits at the heart of a sustainable esports industry. Today, esports majors and vocational training have officially entered campuses. More than 100 colleges and universities across China have offered esports-related majors covering player management, event planning and content operations, continuously supplying professional talents to the industry. 

Some universities have also launched industry-education integration with enterprises to build a training model for interdisciplinary talents with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, laying a solid talent foundation for the high-quality development of the esports industry.

Standardized development and systematic talent cultivation have enabled China's esports industry to thrive and provided young people with diversified growth paths. 

Young esports companions are developing transferable skills in communication and service roles, while esports practitioners ensure the smooth running of events inside and outside the venues. Meanwhile, content creators connect hundreds of millions of players through livestreaming. Passion-meets-profession is unlocking both personal and national potential, and with policy support, the world is their oyster.

Backed by new industrial standards, esports professions are evolving from casual monetization into structured careers, advancing national talent strategy while addressing structural challenges facing young job-seekers.

(All photos via VCG)