Though the field is competitive and employment is often short-term, it's also growing quickly. If you have the will to work hard and the technical, visual, and communication skills needed to make top-caliber animations, you stand a very good chance of earning a comfortable living as an animator.
In the United States, animators can expect to make an average salary of $42,006 per year . Of course, this number can change based on your skill level, employer, work experience and geographic location. Animators working for well-known studios can often expect to make more money than those starting their careers.
Yes, an animation degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 4% job growth for artists and animators over the next 10 years. Common animation careers include art director, animation artist, craft or fine artist, graphic designer, and web developer.
The average salary for an animator is $76,853 in the US. The average animator salary ranges between $52,000 and $112,000 in the US. Animators' hourly rates in the US typically range between $25 and $53 an hour.
Yes, animation is a good career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for animators will grow by 4% over the next decade, which is as fast as the average for all other occupations. One of the reasons animation is a good career choice is that it opens you up to so many different roles.
High-pressure work environment
The work environment for multimedia artists and animators can be stressful. They might work under tight deadlines and significant pressure to get their designs completed as quickly as possible.
With more demand for animated content than ever before, there are many potential avenues for getting work and building a career in the industry. And with new technologies and creative approaches emerging all the time, there are plenty of opportunities to push the boundaries of what is possible in animated storytelling.
The entry-level animation income in the USA is between $50,000 to $60,000 per year. The salary can widely vary depending on the factors such as - education, certification course, and many more. An entry-level job usually requires a bachelor's degree and 0-2 years of experience.
Animation is a highly competitive field
It is a profession that often stems from a passion for art and the desire to obtain a dream job in the field. This means that many people are trying to become professional animators. And that means that, with a higher supply of potential workers, employers can pay lower wages.
In order to become a successful animator, it really comes down to practice. As mentioned before, animation isn't something learned overnight. It's arguably one of the most difficult aspects within a 3D pipeline. It'll take lots of trial and error and most likely some frustration.
Many animators work on a computer for most of the day to complete animation using computer software. Even if your work requires hand-drawn animations or stop-motion animations, you may spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or table.
A typical day in the life of an animator varies depending on the projects they are working on and the stage of production. Much of what they do is fairly standard and happens cyclically. That isn't to say this career is monotonous; animators are always creating something new from their imaginations.
CON: ANIMATION WORK CAN BE repetitive
Animation work is time-consuming and super precise. It can take days or even weeks to animate a single minute of action. You will spend many hours staring intently at a screen while assessing motions that take a fraction of a second.
As a freelance animator, your schedule is flexible. You have control over how long you want to work and when you want to work. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't organize your life! You want to gain success as an animator while achieving a work-life balance.
Hours/Travel
Usually work an irregular schedule that varies by projects and deadlines. May work part time or full time. However, most work full time, about 40 hours per week or more.
Total Pay Estimate & Range
The estimated total pay for a Animator at Walt Disney Company is $90,924 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $79,793 per year.
Karoshi's Effect on Animators
Karoshi culture in animation largely has to do with wage theft and overwork. In 2010, a 28-year-old animator committed suicide shortly after he quit his job. The animator worked hundreds of hours of overtime without pay for several months.
3d animator salaries typically range between $50,000 and $108,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for 3d animators is $35.38 per hour. 3d animator salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. 3d animators earn the highest average salary in Nevada, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Delaware.
The fact that there are so many part-time animation jobs and side hustling opportunities available for animators shows exactly how important you are to the growing landscape of online life.
The average Pixar Animation Studios salary in the United States is $83,323 per year. Pixar Animation Studios salaries range between $43,000 a year in the bottom 10th percentile to $160,000 in the top 90th percentile. Pixar Animation Studios pays $40.06 an hour on average.
A: No, AI is more likely to assist human animators rather than replace them entirely. Human creativity and artistic vision remain invaluable in the animation industry.
28.1% of all animators are women, while 71.9% are men. The average animator age is 40 years old.
AI may assist animators in generating in-between frames, automating repetitive tasks, and enhancing special effects, but it is unlikely to fully replace their role. Animation requires a deep understanding of motion, timing, and storytelling, as well as creativity and communication skills.