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Animator Salary In Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations ... In Office To Apply * Please include a portfolio Compensation Range The standard annual base salary ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator, you will conceptualize, design, develop and execute 3D animations ... In Office To Apply * Please include a portfolio Compensation Range The standard annual base salary ...

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 ... In Office To Apply * Please include a portfolio Compensation Range The standard annual base salary ...

ZeniMax Media

Animator (First-Person)

Rockville, MD · On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

... salaries, a generous benefits program, and offices located in some of North America's best cities ... Apply animation principles to create high-quality hand keyed animations, while making any changes ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Experience OR interest in PC multiplayer games * Experience with in-game animation and Maya ... Competitive Salary with Stock Options * An open/unlimited Paid Time Off and Vacation Policy * Great ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Experience OR interest in PC multiplayer games * Experience with in-game animation and Maya ... 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

We believe in making strategy more creative and creativity more strategic. Loyalkaspar is on the ... 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

We believe in making strategy more creative and creativity more strategic. Loyalkaspar is on the ... ASAP, 2016 • Salary with full benefits Please email cover letter, resume, and portfolio to ...

Hearst

Senior Social Editor & Animator

New York, NY · Hybrid

$88K - $94K/yr

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines' portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U ... 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

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines' portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U ... 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

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines' portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U ... 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

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines' portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U ... 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

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines' portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U ... The base salary for this role is between $88,000 - $94,000. The actual base pay offered is ...

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Animator Salary In information

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$10

$39

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How much do animator salary in jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator salary in 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 animation job pays the most?

Senior roles such as Lead Animator, Animation Director, or VFX Supervisor tend to have the highest salaries in animation, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, advanced skills in software like Maya or Blender, and leadership responsibilities within production teams.

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 difference between Animator Salary In vs Video Game Designer?

Job TitleAverage SalaryRequired CredentialsWork Environment
Animator$65,000Bachelor's in Animation or related fieldStudios, post-production houses, freelance
Video Game Designer$70,000Bachelor's in Game Design, Computer Science, or relatedGame studios, tech companies, freelance

While both roles often require similar credentials and work in creative environments, Video Game Designers typically earn slightly higher salaries due to their focus on game mechanics and story development. Animators primarily focus on creating visual content, whereas Video Game Designers develop gameplay concepts. Salary differences reflect the distinct skill sets and industry demands for each profession.

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, creativity, and proficiency in animation principles, often supported by a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender, and sometimes a professional portfolio, are typically required. Attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this position. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, high-quality animations that meet client or project specifications on time.

What is the average salary of an animator?

The average salary of an animator can vary based on experience, location, and the industry they work in. In the United States, as of 2024, animators typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting at around $40,000 and experienced or senior animators earning upwards of $100,000. Salaries may be higher in large cities or in industries like film and video games. Freelance animators' earnings can differ widely depending on project volume and client base.

Do animators make 6 figures?

Most animators do not earn six-figure salaries; entry-level positions typically pay between $40,000 and $70,000 annually. Higher salaries are possible for experienced animators, especially those working in specialized fields, senior roles, or at major studios, where earnings can exceed $100,000. Skills in advanced software and a strong portfolio can help increase earning potential.

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

Animators often work as part of larger teams that include artists, writers, directors, and other animators. One common challenge is ensuring consistency in style and motion across different scenes, especially when multiple animators are contributing to the same project. Effective communication and regular feedback sessions are essential for aligning on creative vision and meeting tight production deadlines. Additionally, animators must be adaptable and receptive to revisions based on client or director feedback, which can require changes to completed work.

How much does a 2 minute animated video cost?

The cost of a 2-minute animated video varies based on complexity, style, and the animator's experience, typically ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Professional animators or studios may charge higher rates, especially for high-quality, detailed animations requiring advanced skills and software tools.
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Animator Salary In jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator Salary In job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. 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.

Creature Animator (Outsourcing)

ZeniMax Media

Rockville, MD • On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Overview
Come join Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning development team behind Starfield, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. Bethesda Game Studios strives to offer its employees a well-balanced home and work life by providing competitive salaries, a generous benefits program, and offices located in some of North America's best cities.
With a goal of creating a culture as fun and diverse as our games and our players, we welcome applicants with unique skillsets, experience levels and backgrounds. If you are passionate about making a meaningful contribution to some of the most significant games in the industry we'd love to hear from you!
We will consider candidates for our Bethesda Game Studios location in Rockville, MD.
Responsibilities
Your Daily Life at Bethesda Game Studios
Bethesda Game Studios is looking for an exceptional Creature Animator (Outsourcing) to support creature animation work produced both internally and by external partners, while collaborating closely with artists, programmers, designers, and producers. This role is primarily focused on working with outsourced animation teams, reviewing their work, and ensuring quality and consistency across all delivered assets.
As Creature Animator (Outsourcing), you will...
  • Apply animation principles to evaluate, refine, and ensure the quality of creature animations
  • Work in collaboration with members of the team to address animation needs and requirements for cinematic content and gameplay
  • Partner closely with external animation teams by reviewing outsourced creature animation assets, providing clear, actionable, and technically detailed feedback, and ensuring all delivered work meets Bethesda Game Studios' quality bar
  • Serve as a primary point of support for outsourced creature animation, helping to identify issues, articulate improvements, and maintain a consistent creative vision across teams
  • Actively engage with developers outside of your discipline, creating a positive and productive experience for all involved
  • Assist and provide constructive feedback to other animators
  • Consistently integrate and maintain your work in the game
  • Have opportunities to animate creatures directly, while not being solely focused on hands-on animation full-time
Qualifications
What Makes You S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
  • You have 3+ years of professional or related experience as a Creature Animator
  • You possess outstanding animation skills, displaying a strong understanding of animation principles and the ability to critically evaluate and articulate feedback on animation quality
  • You are detail-oriented and have a strong critical eye
  • You are a highly autonomous, self-motivated team player, comfortable working independently while supporting broader team goals
  • You're great at adapting to change and accept constructive feedback well
  • You possess excellent problem-solving and prototyping skills
  • You have excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly when collaborating with external partners
  • You are proficient working with Maya, 3ds Max or Blender
  • You have a passion for gaming and making GREAT games
  • You are passionate about pushing animation quality to the next level
Preferred Skills
Bonus Skills:
  • You have experience animating on first- and third-person focused games
  • You have animation graph experience
  • You have experience working with motion capture in either Maya or Motion Builder
  • You have experience working closely with AI programmers and Gameplay programmers, understanding the technicalities of game AI and game functionality

Salary Range
Creature Animator (Outsourcing) - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $70,000 - $155,000 per year.
ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate's primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.
At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.
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