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Animator Pay Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Senior Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to ... We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

New York, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

New York, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

New York, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

From AI-enhanced storytelling to scroll-stopping animations, this role is at the cutting edge of ... The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work ...

L3HHCM20

Senior Specialist, Creative Services

Melbourne, FL · On-site +1

$84K - $156K/yr

Familiarity working from computer-aided design (CAD) data or engineering models as source material for animation. In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in ...

L3HHCM20

Senior Specialist, Creative Services

Rochester, NY · On-site +1

$84K - $156K/yr

Familiarity working from computer-aided design (CAD) data or engineering models as source material for animation. In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in ...

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Animator Pay information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do animator pay jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator pay in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does an animator typically get paid?

Animator pay can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and the type of animation work. In the United States, the median annual salary for animators and multimedia artists is around $78,790 as of 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level animators may earn less, while experienced or specialized animators working in film, television, or video games can earn significantly more. Freelance rates also vary, often depending on the complexity of the project and the animator's portfolio.

What is the difference between Animator Pay vs Video Editor Pay?

AspectAnimator PayVideo Editor Pay
Required CredentialsAnimation degree or related certificationVideo production or editing certification
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companies, freelanceMedia companies, production houses, freelance
Industry UsageUsed in entertainment, advertising, gamingUsed in film, TV, online content
Common Search IntentComparing salaries and pay ratesComparing salaries and pay rates

Animator Pay and Video Editor Pay are both creative roles in media industries, often requiring similar certifications and working in related environments. While animator salaries tend to be higher due to specialized skills in character and motion design, video editors focus on assembling footage and editing content. Understanding these differences helps job seekers and employers set appropriate compensation expectations based on role-specific skills and industry standards.

What are some common challenges animators face when negotiating their pay or salary?

Animators often encounter challenges such as pay discrepancies based on project budgets, studio size, and location. Freelance animators may find it difficult to set competitive rates, especially when balancing client expectations with fair compensation for their skills and experience. Additionally, animators working in-house might struggle with salary transparency and advancement opportunities, as pay scales can vary widely across the industry. Researching industry standards and networking with peers can help animators better advocate for fair pay during negotiations.

Do animators make good money?

Animator pay varies based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual salary in the United States is around $70,000. Entry-level animators typically earn less, while experienced professionals or those working in specialized fields can earn significantly more, especially with proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects or Maya. Freelance animators may have variable income depending on project volume and client demand.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of animation principles, and typically a degree in animation, graphic design, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Toon Boom Harmony is commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for producing visually engaging animations that meet client or project specifications while collaborating efficiently within creative teams.
More about Animator Pay jobs
What cities are hiring for Animator Pay jobs? Cities with the most Animator Pay job openings:
What states have the most Animator Pay jobs? States with the most job openings for Animator Pay jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animator Pay jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animator Pay jobs are:
Animator Pay jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator Pay job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Senior Technical Designer in Animation

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Senior Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join our team working across various animation systems. As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to design and create gameplay animation systems that facilitate appealing, high-quality character motion. You will be the primary point of contact for animation implementation issues and any animation-related technical challenges, and you will work closely with Animation, Design, and Engineering colleagues to ensure the animation pipeline operates smoothly and efficiently. You will also help identify potential issues and deploy correct solutions, using your technical knowledge to help bridge and facilitate communication between the animation team and other departments.
In this role, you will
  • Create animation behavior tools/techniques/philosophies that allow the building of complex movement systems
  • Design and implement animation state machines/behaviors and runtime solutions
  • Work closely with the Animation, Design, and Engineering departments to analyze, troubleshoot, and solve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges
  • Closely collaborate with the animation leadership to maintain the style and quality bar for animations in the game
  • Look for opportunities to improve the animation pipeline/workflow and help provide solutions for technical animation problems, including performing training and creating documentation for the animation team
What we're looking for
  • A strong animation sense with a clear understanding of realistic and stylized character motion and how to achieve them with modern animation methods
  • Expertise with animation pipelines, including source content creation tools such as Maya, MotionBuilder, and the Unreal Engine, using our Control Rig toolset
  • Exceptional problem-solving ability with strong written communication and teamwork skills
  • Familiarity with gameplay animation tools and concepts, such as blend trees and state machines; experience with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints is a plus
  • Experience with AAA game development, preferably on a large team using an established game engine (internal or commercial); experience with Unreal Engine is a plus
  • Self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently
  • Coding knowledge or experience with C++ is not required
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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