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The differences between animators and freelance designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an animator, becoming a freelance designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an animator has an average salary of $76,853, which is higher than the $57,260 average annual salary of a freelance designer.
The top three skills for an animator include animation, motion capture and storyboards. The most important skills for a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.
| Animator | Freelance Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,853 | $57,260 |
| Hourly rate | $36.95 | $27.53 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 551 | 45,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Animators and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Animator | Freelance Designer | |
| Average salary | $76,853 | $57,260 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $112,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Las Vegas, NV | - |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | - |
| Best paying company | Meta | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between an animator and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:
| Animator | Freelance Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between animators' and freelance designers' demographics:
| Animator | Freelance Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 67.7% 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% |