Creative & Education Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Animator Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median animator salary in Great Falls, MT is $69,335 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$69,335
vs State Avg
$-5,516
vs National
$-9,455
Cost of Living
88%

Animator Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median animator salary of $69,335, which is $5,516 below the Montana state average of $74,851. Compared to the national median of $78,790, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $69,335 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $78,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for animators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for animators in Great Falls spans from $40,480 at the 10th percentile to $119,680 at the 90th percentile — a $79,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,240, while senior animators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Animator Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level animator earns around $42,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,240
$-5,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $40,480
25th Percentile $52,800
Median (50th) $69,335
75th Percentile $92,400
90th Percentile $119,680

Animator Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$90,609
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$80,366
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$75,638
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$74,063
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Animator in Great Falls

Education

Most animator positions require a bachelor's degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Maya/BlenderAfter EffectsCharacter DesignStoryboarding3D ModelingTiming/Motion

Job Outlook

Nationally, animator employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Animator Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open animator positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Animator Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Animator make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median animator salary in Great Falls, Montana is $69,335 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $78,790. Salaries range from $40,480 (10th percentile) to $119,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Animator make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $69,335, a animator in Great Falls earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for animator pay? ▼
Great Falls's median animator salary of $69,335 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $74,851. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a animator salary of $69,335 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a animator in Great Falls? ▼
Most animator positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Maya/Blender, After Effects, Character Design, Storyboarding. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.