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Average 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 · 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 ...

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

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

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 · On-site

$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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How much do average animator salary in jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for average 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.

Do animators make good money?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual wage in the animation field is generally competitive with other creative professions. Entry-level animators often earn lower wages, while experienced professionals working in film, gaming, or advertising can earn higher salaries, especially with strong skills in software like Adobe After Effects or Maya. Overall, animation can provide a stable income, but earnings depend on skill level and the complexity of projects handled.

What is the difference between Average Animator Salary In vs Graphic Designer?

Job TitleAverage SalaryRequired CredentialsWork Environment
Animator$65,000Bachelor's in Animation or related fieldStudios, production houses, freelance
Graphic Designer$50,000Bachelor's in Graphic Design or related fieldDesign agencies, corporate offices, freelance

The average animator salary is generally higher than that of graphic designers due to specialized skills in animation software and multimedia production. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in creative environments, but animators tend to earn more on average because of the technical expertise needed for animation projects.

Is 25 too late to learn animation?

Animator careers can be pursued at any age, and many successful professionals start learning animation in their mid-20s or later. Developing skills in software like Adobe Animate or Blender, along with building a portfolio, is essential regardless of age, and continuous learning can lead to opportunities in the industry.

Do animators make 6 figures?

Most animators do not make six-figure salaries; entry-level positions typically pay less, while experienced senior animators or those working in high-paying industries or locations can earn six figures. Achieving a six-figure income often requires advanced skills, a strong portfolio, and years of experience in the field.

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. Skilled animators with experience in software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom may charge higher rates, especially for detailed or custom animations.
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Average Animator Salary In jobs near you
Infographic showing various Average Animator Salary In job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full 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 12 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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