Animators work in the multimedia industry and use both computers and traditional forms of animation to create cartoons, special effects or computer games. They also are employed as storyboard creators in the film and advertising industries. Although not strictly required, many animators have received some level of training. This training, in addition to factors like location and type of industry, can affect an animator's average salary.
National Salary Scales
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 28,800 people were employed as animators in 2009, with an average annual salary of $62,810. This corresponds to a mean hourly wage of $30.20. The median salary for animators was $58,250 a year, which reflects an even distribution of salary ranges. The bottom 10 percent made less than $32,360 a year and the bottom 25 percent made less than $43,170 a year. Likewise, the top 25 percent made around $77,410 a year, and the top 10 percent had average annual salaries of $99,130 or more.
Salaries by Location
Reflecting the high establishment of the film and TV industry, the highest salaries typically are offered in California, which averaged $76,010 a year in 2009 according to the BLS. The top three cities are all in California, with the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area coming first with average salaries of $83,610 a year. This is followed by the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood city area, with around $81,320 a year and the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area, with average annual wages of $76,070.
Salaries by Industry
The highest salaries for animators in 2009 were in technical and trade schools, which offered an average of $72,830. The second-highest salary was offered by the motion picture and video industries, which was also the largest employer, with salaries in 2009 averaging $70,960 a year. This was followed by what the BLS calls the "other telecommunications" sector, with $68,800 a year and the "other information services" sector, which offered $68,470 a year on average. Software publishers came fifth, with annual average incomes of $68,320.
Qualifications and Outlook
The bare minimum requirement for becoming an animator is a natural talent for artwork. Animation, however, may require additional training, especially in the computer, video game and other entertainment fields. A variety of schools offer courses and degrees in animation, which may prove an asset to this field as competition can be intense. However, as computer animation and special effects are becoming more mainstream, the demand for animators is increasing.
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