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The differences between 3d animators and graphic artists 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 a graphic artist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d animator has an average salary of $73,596, which is higher than the $54,900 average annual salary of a graphic artist.
The top three skills for a 3d animator include animation, storyboards and visualization. The most important skills for a graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.
| 3D Animator | Graphic Artist | |
| Yearly salary | $73,596 | $54,900 |
| Hourly rate | $35.38 | $26.39 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 571 | 8,752 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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.
A graphic artist is either an illustrator or an animator who creates art work that will be used in graphic projects such as advertisements, posters, or even book covers. Although a graphic artist has his/her own style of artwork, he/she may be often commissioned to create art specifically for a particular project. A graphic artist may work with a graphic designer in order to convey the overall message of a project. The portfolio of a graphic artist includes cartoons, illustrations, and graphic novels.
3d animators and graphic artists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| 3D Animator | Graphic Artist | |
| Average salary | $73,596 | $54,900 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $108,000 | Between $35,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bellevue, WA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Parsons |
| Best paying industry | Media | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a 3d animator and a graphic artist in terms of educational background:
| 3D Animator | Graphic Artist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between 3d animators' and graphic artists' demographics:
| 3D Animator | Graphic Artist | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4% |
| 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% |