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The differences between 3d animators and assistant designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a 3d animator, becoming an assistant designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d animator has an average salary of $73,596, which is higher than the $52,475 average annual salary of an assistant designer.
The top three skills for a 3d animator include animation, storyboards and visualization. The most important skills for an assistant designer are sketch, tech packs, and adobe illustrator.
| 3D Animator | Assistant Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $73,596 | $52,475 |
| Hourly rate | $35.38 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 571 | 47,598 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A 3D animator specializes in designing and developing 3D animation materials, adhering to the program or project's needs. They typically work together with a team of animators and producers in studios or offices. Most of the time, their responsibilities involve performing extensive research, creating drafts and storyboards, consulting with team members and editors, and performing revisions as needed. Furthermore, as a 3D animator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
3d animators and assistant designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| 3D Animator | Assistant Designer | |
| Average salary | $73,596 | $52,475 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $108,000 | Between $37,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Media | Construction |
There are a few differences between a 3d animator and an assistant designer in terms of educational background:
| 3D Animator | Assistant Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between 3d animators' and assistant designers' demographics:
| 3D Animator | Assistant Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 13% |