Animator Salaries

The average salary for an Animator is US$72,139 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 1663 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Animator employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Animator in United States is US$100,994 per year.

The lowest salary for an Animator in United States is US$54,104 per year.

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 55% 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.

Animators have the potential to earn a high salary, with earnings ranging between $41,840.37 and $132,013.58 and an average of $60,724.07. 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.

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.

About 55.00% of Animator professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $11,414 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of an Animator in United States as a good salary.

Animator professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between $41,840 and $132,014 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $72,139 following the average career path of an Animator.