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Job outlook for animation artists in the United States
Are animation artist jobs in demand?
Animation artist job and salary trends over time
Animation artist jobs over time
Animation artist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 426 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 551 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 611 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 595 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 622 | 0.00% |
Average animation artist salary over time
Animation artist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $80,929 | $38.91 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $78,398 | $37.69 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $75,534 | $36.31 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $73,461 | $35.32 | +8.0% |
| 2021 | $68,014 | $32.70 | +2.1% |
Animation artist jobs by state
Most common states for animation artists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 35 | 5% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 44 | 3% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 16 | 3% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 769 | 2% |
| 5 | New York | 19,849,399 | 353 | 2% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 162 | 2% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 159 | 2% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 149 | 2% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 142 | 2% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 106 | 2% |
| 11 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 101 | 2% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 100 | 2% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 93 | 2% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 66 | 2% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 66 | 2% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 56 | 2% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 26 | 2% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 26 | 2% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 15 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 10 | 2% |
Most common cities for animation artists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $50,341 |
Animation Artist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of animation artist experts
Florida Gulf Coast University
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Steve Hughart II
Laboratory Coordinator I/ Adjunct ProfessorFlorida Gulf Coast University
Fine And Studio Arts
What will help Animation Artists increase their earning potential?
Steve Hughart II: The most important skills that I would suggest would be to learn and understand the Adobe Creative Cloud Applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator for example. These platforms will benefit you immensely in the art field in a ton of different ways. All artists will use these applications in one form or another. That being said, I would also encourage everyone to do as much work as possible with your hands. Learn to use power tools, pick up a piece of paper and pencil instead of the iPad, use a real camera instead of your phone. With AI growing so fast digital media work will all be AI generated, so focusing on improving your editing skills and creating with your hands will be where the jobs are.
Carla Noack
Associate Professor of Theatre, ActingUniversity of Missouri - Kansas City
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What will help Animation Artists increase their earning potential?
Carla Noack: The world needs humans who know how to solve problems creatively and joyfully; who can express themselves clearly and tell stories effectively; who are willing to connect to others in real space and time through vulnerability and empathy; who have skills in listening—helping others feel heard and valued; and who can inspire all of us to envision new ways of working, learning and living together.
What general advice would you give to an Animation Artist?
Ananda Keator: 3D printing accessories, digital renderings, and (hopefully) revival of almost lost arts.