How much does an Animator make?

The national average salary for an Animator is $53,042 per year in United States. Filter by location to see an Animator salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 1525 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Animator employees.

The highest salary for an Animator in United States is $86,468 per year.

The lowest salary for an Animator in United States is $32,537 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Animator or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Animator.

Animators earn similar compensation to graphic designers and special effects artists. Some animators are self-employed freelancers while others work as salaried employees across all industries. Animators who work for specialized design services firms, public relations firms, or advertising firms generally have the highest salaries. Freelancers’ pay varies by the number of contracts they secure and the rates they charge.

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Approximately 71% of animators feel satisfied with their current earnings. For professionals with membership in the Animation Guild, five to seven years of experience, and in-depth knowledge of animation software, the salary of an animator could be considered good.

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Animators have the potential to earn a high salary, with earnings ranging between $34,740.23 and $93,428.71 and an average of $53,049.94. The more experience you gain and skills you master, the more you'll earn in your animation career, so after building experience and a reputation, consider a senior-level role. Lead animators often have a higher average annual salary and better benefits than their entry-level counterparts.

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You can earn more from your career as an animator through three primary methods: skills, experience, and professional membership. First, master marketable skills such as Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, Zbrush, illustration, CelAction 2D, and Moho Pro. As a professional, the more competence you have, the higher your earning potential. Next, gain valuable experience and grow your network through animator internships, apprenticeships, part-time, contract, or remote work. Animation is a creative field with diverse opportunities; take advantage of them and you'll grow an impressive resume. Finally, joining the Animation Guild underscores your role as a professional, opens the door to workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities, and stands out to future employers.

Have an offer on the table? If you're negotiating a higher salary in your animator position, always let the company offer first. If they ask what range of pay you're expecting, reverse the question by asking, "What's budgeted for this role?" so they have the chance to state a higher figure than your preferred salary. If they don't, make a counter-offer ranging between 5 and 10%, and never accept the first "no." Rejecting the first offer is standard practice for many companies, so stay persistent. If you're already in an established position, demonstrate what you've brought to the role in the past year using solid evidence, such as expense reports or positive reviews.