ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animator Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

Salary: $88K-$120K At Ember Lab, our goal is to create powerful, transformative experiences that ... As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations.

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations ... The base salary range for locations outside of the U.S. will be adjusted according to location. At ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations ... The base salary range for locations outside of the U.S. will be adjusted according to location. At ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ... Competitive Salary with Stock Options * An open/unlimited Paid Time Off and Vacation Policy * Great ...

CD Projekt

Senior Locomotion Gameplay Animator

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$95K - $174K/yr

A top-tier gaming company in Boston is seeking a Senior Gameplay Animator focused on locomotion for ... This position offers a hybrid work environment, with a competitive salary range of $95,000 to $174 ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ... Competitive Salary with Stock Options * An open/unlimited Paid Time Off and Vacation Policy * Great ...

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects ... ASAP, 2016 Salary with full benefits Please email cover letter, resume, and portfolio to: meredithm ...

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY · On-site

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects ... ASAP, 2016 • Salary with full benefits Please email cover letter, resume, and portfolio to ...

Roblox

Senior 3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... Monthly Salary Range $9,103-$11,152 USD Roles that are based in an office are onsite Tuesday ...

New

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 base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

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 base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

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 base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

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 base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

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 base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimator Salary Jobs

Animator Salary information

See salary details

$10

$39

$70

How much do animator salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator salary 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.

What is a Disney animator's salary?

A Disney animator's salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, skill level, and location. Entry-level animators may earn less, while experienced professionals or those in senior roles can earn higher salaries, often with benefits and opportunities to work with industry-standard tools like Maya or Adobe Animate.

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 movement and timing, and proficiency with animation principles, often supported by a degree in animation, graphic design, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender is typically required, and certifications in these tools can be advantageous. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills that help animators collaborate and bring stories to life. These skills ensure high-quality, visually compelling animations that meet client or project requirements in a competitive industry.

What is the highest paid animator?

The highest paid animators are often lead or senior animators working in the film, television, or video game industries, with top earners making over $150,000 annually. Experienced professionals with specialized skills in 3D animation, visual effects, or working at major studios tend to have the highest salaries.

Is animation a high paying career?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but generally, animation can be a well-paying career, especially for those with advanced skills and a strong portfolio. Entry-level positions tend to pay less, while experienced animators working in film, gaming, or advertising often earn higher wages. Developing proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe After Effects or Maya can improve earning potential.

What are some common challenges animators face when working on collaborative projects?

Animators often work closely with artists, writers, and technical teams, which can present challenges such as aligning creative visions, meeting tight production deadlines, and adapting to feedback from multiple stakeholders. Effective communication and flexibility are key to ensuring that the animation fits seamlessly with other project elements. Additionally, animators may need to quickly learn new software or techniques to stay current with industry standards and project requirements.

Do animators make good money?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual wage in many regions is around $70,000. Skilled animators proficient in software like Adobe After Effects or Maya and with a strong portfolio tend to earn higher salaries, especially in entertainment or gaming sectors.

What is the average salary of an animator?

The average salary of an animator varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry. In the United States, entry-level animators can expect to earn around $50,000 per year, while experienced professionals may earn upwards of $75,000 or more. Salaries can be higher at major studios or in cities with a strong entertainment industry presence. Freelance animators may have variable earnings based on project volume and client rates.

What is the difference between Animator Salary vs Video Game Designer Salary?

AspectAnimator SalaryVideo Game Designer Salary
Required CredentialsPortfolio, Animation skills, sometimes a degree in animation or related fieldGame design degree, portfolio, programming skills
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, film, advertising, gamingGame studios, tech companies, freelance
Industry UsageUsed in entertainment, advertising, gamingPrimarily in gaming industry, also in interactive media

Animator salaries and video game designer salaries share similarities in required skills and work environments, especially within the gaming industry. However, animators focus on creating visual content, while game designers develop gameplay concepts and mechanics. Both roles are vital in game development and often overlap, but their salary differences reflect their distinct responsibilities and skill sets.

More about Animator Salary jobs
What cities are hiring for Animator Salary jobs? Cities with the most Animator Salary job openings:
What states have the most Animator Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Animator Salary jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animator Salary jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animator Salary jobs are:
Animator Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator Salary job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% As Needed, 4% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 71% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Senior Gameplay Animator

Senior Gameplay Animator

Ember Lab

Orange, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Salary: $88K-$120K

At Ember Lab, our goal is to create powerful, transformative experiences that impact people for a lifetime. Having released our debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, in 2021 this journey is just beginning. Were looking for collaborative team members who share our passion for storytelling and are eager to help us shape the future of Ember Lab.


We believe a strong, collaborative environment is critical to creating memorable experiences. As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations. You will collaborate across teams to bring these animations and Ember Lab work to life!


Description

  • Create, test, and iterate on gameplay animations related to combat and interactive events
  • Integrate animations into game project and relevant animation systems
  • Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints.
  • Iterate and refine animations based on feedback from team members and playtesting.
  • Attend to bugs related to tasks and maintain relevant animation features
  • Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of animations.


Requirements

  • 5+ years of gameplay animation experience
  • Strong skills in animating body mechanics and action
  • Excellent Maya animation skills
  • Proficient with animation systems in UE5
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
  • Shipped 1+ title
  • Unreal Engine 4 or 5 experience


Location

  • In Office


To Apply

  • Please include a portfolio


Compensation Range

The standard annual base salary range for this role in the U.S. is $88,000 - $120,000 USD. Actual pay will vary depending on experience, qualifications, performance and location. The base salary range for locations outside of the U.S. will be adjusted according to location.


At Ember Lab, we like to keep things professional and straightforward when it comes to hiring. All of our recruitment happens through official channels like an Ember Lab email, our recruitment platform BambooHR, or LinkedIn.


If you ever get a message from someone claiming to be us through an unexpected or suspicious platform, its probably not legitfeel free to ignore it or give us a heads-up at contact@emberlab.com.


Weve got your back when it comes to keeping the process safe and secure!