Animator Salary
Animators create visual sequences producing the illusion of movement for films, games, and media.
Animator Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level animators earn around $48,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $80,000. Senior-level animators can earn $130,000 or more.
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With a $78,790 income, financial advisors recommend investing 15–20% annually. Start building a diversified portfolio with as little as $10.
See Investment Options →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for animators varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $46,000, while the top 10% earn $136,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $78,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 |
Animator Salary by State
Animator salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $133,943, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $65,396.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $133,943 | Details → |
| #2 California | $108,730 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $106,367 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $97,700 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $96,124 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $90,609 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $90,609 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $88,245 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $86,669 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $86,669 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $82,730 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $82,730 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $82,730 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $81,942 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $79,578 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $79,578 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $77,214 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $77,214 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $76,426 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $76,426 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $76,426 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $76,426 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $75,638 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $74,851 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $74,851 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $74,063 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $73,275 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $73,275 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $72,487 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $72,487 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $72,487 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $72,487 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $71,699 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $70,911 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $70,911 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $70,911 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $70,911 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $70,911 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $70,123 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $70,123 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $70,123 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $69,335 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $69,335 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $68,547 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $68,547 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $68,547 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $67,759 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $66,184 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $66,184 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $65,396 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Animators who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $51,210 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Create 2D and 3D animations
- ● Develop storyboards
- ● Design characters
- ● Collaborate with directors
- ● Use digital animation tools
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade
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