IKEA has surprised the internet by announcing that it will pay real money—$16.10 per hour—to people working inside its new virtual store on Roblox. The campaign, called The Co-Worker Game, opened on June 24, 2024, and aims to blend gaming, retail, and future workplace experiences.
Unlike other in-game jobs that pay in digital tokens, IKEA Roblox jobs $16.10/hour are genuine part-time roles with real paychecks. The company is offering a starting rate of £13.15 per hour, equal to about $16.10 in USD, based on current currency exchange rates.
How IKEA Roblox Jobs Work
- Virtual Co-Worker Roles: Selected applicants work inside IKEA’s Roblox world, assisting players as if they were in a real IKEA store.
- Real Compensation: Workers are paid the same hourly rate as in London IKEA stores.
- Eligibility: Roles are limited to UK and Ireland residents over 18 years old.
- Limited Openings: IKEA made only 10 paid positions available for the Roblox experiment.
This means not everyone can apply, but the campaign demonstrates IKEA’s effort to innovate with digital experiences.
Why IKEA Is Paying People for Roblox Jobs
IKEA has positioned itself as a brand experimenting with future retail models. By paying people in the Roblox metaverse, the company is:
- Blurring digital and real jobs – showing how work might look in mixed virtual and real environments.
- Engaging younger audiences – Roblox is most popular among Gen Z, making it a creative recruitment and marketing platform.
- Creating buzz for IKEA careers – the campaign has gone viral on social media, with many amazed that “gaming jobs” can now pay like traditional part-time roles.
How Much Can You Earn in IKEA Roblox Jobs?
At $16.10/hour, the pay is competitive compared to many entry-level jobs. While the virtual roles were very limited in number, the experiment signals that gaming platforms could become workplaces of the future.
This is significantly higher than many minimum wages around the world, and puts IKEA’s initiative in line with its reputation for paying fair hourly wages.
What’s Next for Virtual Jobs?
- Expansion of virtual retail work – If IKEA’s test is successful, more global brands may introduce real-money jobs inside games.
- Hybrid experiences – Virtual customer support jobs could extend beyond Roblox into other metaverse platforms.
- Gamification of work – This move shows how companies can make jobs more interactive, attracting younger digital-native workers.
Conclusion
The IKEA Roblox jobs $16.10/hour project is more than just a marketing stunt. It represents a new frontier where the future of work meets gaming platforms. With real pay, limited roles, and global buzz, IKEA has positioned itself as an innovator in the retail world.
While only a handful of people got the chance to earn money in this trial, it sets the stage for future opportunities where digital jobs inside games could become mainstream.
