A career as an animator is the best of both worlds. You get to use your artistic abilities as well as incorporate cutting edge technology into the creation of your animation projects. Animators are some of the best artists on the planet but they use their talent in practical application. Instead of trying to make it big in the fine art scene, their art is seen and used by millions of customers all over the world.
Animators also enjoy a more predictable and stable income than the typical “starving artist.” With talent, skill, and experience, animators can enjoy a comfortable income while they continue to use their talents and do what they love.
Average Animator Salary
On average, animators earn approximately $45,000 annually. This figure is reflective of established animators working in the business with anywhere from four to ten years in the business. Starting animators earn less, while experienced animators earn considerably more. In fact, experienced animators with more than 10-15 years of experience can earn as much as $80,000 or more. Most artists would dream of supporting themselves through their art and animation is one way to accomplish this.
Starting Salaries in Animation
As with any industry or job, starting out means starting at the bottom. Animation is no different. Beginning animators usually earn approximately $30,000 to $35,000 annually. This figure is quite typical for entry level positions in most professional jobs. However, experience greatly influences your salary in the animation business. Time and patience can increase your marketability and make it possible for you to command a greater salary.
Market Demand for Animators
Job growth for animators should be steady in the coming years. Since animators are essentially graphic designers, there will be more options as the need for graphic design continues to grow. However, animation is a very competitive field and you will be up against other talented and motivated professionals for jobs. It’s important to hone your skills and develop yourself as an artist in order to maintain your marketability in the industry.
Of all of the graphic design positions, those with animation skills are predicted to have the most potential in the coming years. Animators don’t just create cartoons anymore. With the rising popularity of video games and ever increasing demand for more sophisticated graphics, animators have more options. They are among the most in-demand graphic design professionals. Animators can work in special effects, video games, and numerous other fields.
Factors Influencing Salaries in Animation
Factors influencing your salary in animation are:
- Location
- Experience
- Education
- Type of employment
- ability
Location is an important factor in your salary, no matter what your business. Professionals working in areas with high costs of living will earn more than those working in areas with lower costs of living. For example, an animator in Savannah, Georgia will earn less than one in San Francisco. However, location is not the biggest element to determine your animation salary.
Your experience has a tremendous impact on your salary. The differences in income among animators with 10-15 years of experience compared to those with less than five years of experience is drastic. Animators that are new to the business aren’t likely to earn more than $40,000 a year annually, while experienced animators can earn over $80,000 annually. Even those with more than five years of experience have a significantly greater earning potential than animators with less than five years of experience. If you want to earn more money as an animator, it’s important to be patient.
Type of employment is another big factor affecting your salary. Luckily, animators have more earning power than other types of graphic designers. However, animators working in industries that are doing well, like video games, might earn more than those working in other businesses.
Increasing Your Animator Salary
For the most part, increasing your animator salary means staying with the business for the long run. It’s important that you not get frustrated with your income and seek out other options. If you want to be an animator, increasing your salary requires time and patience while you gain more years of experience in the business.
However, you can also dedicate time and effort to continuing your education and improving your skills as an animator. While all animators need to have a degree in graphic design to get started, it never hurts to always improve your artistic and creative abilities through classes and workshops.
You also need to stay up to date with the latest technologies and develop your skills in those areas if necessary. Ultimately, an animator that is a gifted thinker, artist and creator as well as a graphic designer, will be more valuable where he or she finds a job. It’s important that you think outside the box and do your time to maximize your earning potential as an animator.
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