ESA: Games directly contributed $40.9 billion to U.S. economy and employed 143,045 people in 2019

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released a new economic impact report today for the U.S. video game industry that says gaming directly generated economic output of $40.9 billion in 2019 and provided direct employment to 143,045 people.

Total income generated across the game economy totals $35.28 billion, including $17.37 billion in direct compensation to video game industry workers (equivalent to $121,459 in compensation per worker). The figures the game industry indirectly supports are even more impressive at $90.3 billion, and it makes sense that number should only rise in 2020, given the growth of gaming as a lifesaver during the pandemic. According to the ESA, this report includes as much of the game industry as it could measure — triple-A, double-A, indie, mobile, and so on.