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Associate Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Associate Professor Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate based on experience, education, and ... Media, Animation, VR/AR, Interaction Design, Illustration, virtual production and wearable ...

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Associate Animator information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do associate animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate animator 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 an associate animator?

An associate animator is an entry-level or junior position in animation teams, responsible for assisting senior animators with creating and refining animated content. They typically use animation software such as Adobe Animate or Maya and may need a relevant degree or portfolio to qualify. The role often involves collaboration, learning industry standards, and developing technical skills.

How to get an animation job with no experience?

To get an associate animator position with no experience, focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases your skills in animation software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom. Completing relevant courses or certifications, creating personal projects, and gaining familiarity with industry-standard tools can improve your chances; internships or volunteering can also provide valuable experience and connections.

Are animators in demand right now?

Animator positions are generally in demand due to the growth of digital media, film, gaming, and advertising industries. Skilled animators proficient in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender, and with a strong portfolio, have good employment prospects. However, demand can vary by region and industry trends.

What can you do with an associate's degree in animation?

An associate's degree in animation prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as junior animator, production assistant, or graphic designer in creative studios or media companies. It provides foundational skills in animation software like Adobe After Effects or Maya and may lead to further specialization or advancement with additional experience or education.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Associate Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Animator, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, artistic design, and a relevant degree or certification in animation, graphic design, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, or Blender is typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and open communication skills make candidates stand out in collaborative production environments. These skills are vital for meeting project goals, delivering high-quality animations, and contributing effectively to creative teams.

What is an Associate Animator job?

An Associate Animator is an entry-level role in animation, responsible for creating and refining animations for games, films, or other media. They work under senior animators to develop character movements, environment animations, and special effects. Their tasks may include keyframing, rigging, and refining motion to ensure smooth and realistic animations. Strong proficiency in animation software like Maya, Blender, or After Effects is typically required. This role serves as a foundation for advancing to higher-level animation positions.

What does a typical day look like for an Associate Animator?

A typical day for an Associate Animator involves collaborating closely with senior animators, designers, and project managers to create and refine animation assets according to project requirements. You may spend time blocking out animation sequences, participating in team reviews, and revising your work based on feedback. Daily tasks often include working in software like Maya or After Effects, attending team meetings to discuss progress, and tracking deliverables to meet production deadlines. This role provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and gradually take on more complex animation assignments as your skills grow.

More about Associate Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Animator jobs? Cities with the most Associate Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animator jobs? The most popular types of Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Animator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Animator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Animator jobs are:
Infographic showing various Associate Animator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Assistant or Associate Professor

Assistant or Associate Professor

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


North Carolina State University rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

397th of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Details
Posting Information
Posting Number
PG194611EP
Internal Recruitment
No
Working Title
Assistant or Associate Professor
Anticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate based on experience, education, and faculty rank
Work Schedule
Varied schedule
Job Location
Raleigh, NC
Department
Department of Media Arts Design and Technology
About the Department
The Department of Media Arts Design and Technology is positioned within the College of Design at North Carolina State University, with allied academic departments of Graphic and Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture, and the School of Architecture. The Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology offers two undergraduate degree programs, the studio-based Bachelor of Art and Design and the non-studio based Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies, and a Master of Art and Design.
Students in our studio-based bachelor and masters program engage in narrative and storytelling through a number of media and platforms including Mixed Media, Animation, VR/AR, Interaction Design, Illustration, virtual production and wearable technologies. Students in our Design Studies program engage in critical design issues shaping the field and practice of design through design research, writing and criticism. Students and faculty in Media Arts, Design and Technology seek opportunities and challenge the status quo through technological possibility, materiality, and look locally, nationally and globally for inspiration, application and impact.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Retirement Programs
  • Disability Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
  • 12 Holidays Each Year
  • Tuition and Academic Assistance
  • And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
NCSU College of Design's Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology (MADTech) seeks a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor of Media Arts, Design and Technology with a focus on Visual Effects for Interactive Media and Virtual Production (Games Design and Development, Virtual and Mixed Reality, 2D and 3D animation, kinetic and immersive installations). With a state-of-the-art Virtual Production Lab running on the Unreal Engine, the successful candidate will be well positioned to develop opportunities for lab funding and engagement locally, nationally and internationally.
The candidate will engage in research in the use of technology across multiple platforms and have the ability to teach new and emerging concepts and ideas in Media Arts, Design and Technology at the graduate and undergraduate level. We are particularly interested in candidates who can balance visual and aesthetic production with technological and conceptual exploration. Successful candidates may also by asked to teach at the foundation level instructing students on techniques of basic drawing, 2D and 3D design, digital illustration, animation and sculpture. Candidates may also bring other areas of expertise to these classes. Additional topics of interest might include sound design, interaction design, computation design, and/or blended media experiences.
This position is a full-time tenure-track faculty 9-month appointment. Rank to be determined based upon education and professional experience. Specific teaching opportunities include art studios at all levels, including advanced comprehensive studios and/or special topic seminar courses.
Other Responsibilities
Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
  • Applicants are expected to have a terminal degree (MFA, MAD, PhD, or other) in a related design discipline with an emphasis on visual effects, film, animation, games, and/or interactive media. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications
  • Strong grounding in formal design principles, design process, design thinking, creative problem solving, critical theory, and critiquing skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to teach in related areas of media arts, design and technological theory, history, and/or criticism.
  • Areas of scholarship include addressing the social and practical impact of media arts, design and technology, the ability to think and write critically about design, and a clear understanding of "the relationship of making to thinking" in regards to the design process.
  • Ability to provide academic and curriculum advising to undergraduate and graduate students, including both majors and minors in the MADTech program.
  • Ability to lead in course development and other responsibilities related to the implementation of the MADTech Program.
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate student learning and writing at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Track record of published writing for professional and scholarly journals and conference papers, etc.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in teaching at the college level is preferred.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)
  • N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required
No
Commercial Driver's License required
No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date
05/01/2026
Anticipated Close Date
Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants are required to submit: (1) a Resume/CV; (2) a letter of intent describing qualifications and interests; (3) contact information for three references; (4) a sample student work (other document 1); (5) a sample syllabi (other document 2), and (6) a teaching statement.
Review of applications will begin on 10/1/2026 and continue until the position is filled. Please send inquiries to Katherine Klinger (kaklinge@ncsu.edu)
Position Details
Position Number
00101254
Position Type
Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0
Appointment
9 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID
120501 - Art and Design
EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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About North Carolina State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

North Carolina State University (NCSU), located in Raleigh, NC, US, is a leading educational institution with a strong emphasis on research, academics, and public service. Established in 1887, NCSU operates in the education industry and endeavors to foster student success, and promote economic development by providing high-quality, affordable education, and conducting groundbreaking research across a variety of disciplines. With more than 100 majors, its academic offerings range from undergraduates to postgraduates along with doctoral studies - in various fields like engineering, natural resources, humanities, and social sciences. NCSU is firmly anchored on the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and innovation. Its mission is to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1887