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Animator vs video game animator

The differences between animators and video game animators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an animator and a video game animator. Additionally, a video game animator has an average salary of $81,133, which is higher than the $76,853 average annual salary of an animator.

The top three skills for an animator include animation, motion capture and storyboards. The most important skills for a video game animator are animation, motion capture, and maya.

Animator vs video game animator overview

AnimatorVideo Game Animator
Yearly salary$76,853$81,133
Hourly rate$36.95$39.01
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs5512,886
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does an animator do?

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.

What does a video game animator do?

This is a multimedia artist and animator with a specialty in video games. They use a combination of arts and technology to create special effects, interactive animated images, and an environment for video games. They are expected to work alongside other departments to ensure that all visual artwork meets the specifications of clients. They are responsible for researching trends in video game animation, as well as statistics and techniques. Additionally, they may have to compile briefs and reports and even present your ideas and research findings before potential investors.

Animator vs video game animator salary

Animators and video game animators have different pay scales, as shown below.

AnimatorVideo Game Animator
Average salary$76,853$81,133
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $112,000Between $48,000 And $135,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NV-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between animator and video game animator education

There are a few differences between an animator and a video game animator in terms of educational background:

AnimatorVideo Game Animator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorAnimationAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Animator vs video game animator demographics

Here are the differences between animators' and video game animators' demographics:

AnimatorVideo Game Animator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 71.9% Female, 28.1%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between animator and video game animator duties and responsibilities

Animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Train & supervise newly appoint employee in achieving realistic looking effects and help integrating the effects in compositing with cg elements.
  • Create many logos for a YouTube sketch.
  • Sketch every seen multiple times utilizing several camera angles and character blocking.
  • Assist in the animation development of learning videos and nursery rhymes for YouTube.
  • Implement uniform display geometry to support texture artist and UV mapping artist, demonstrating advance UV mapping skills.
  • Show more

Video game animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Provide technical support in Autodesk Maya.
  • Work with engineers to develop process, using Maya.
  • Lay out and optimize UV's for realtime rendering.
  • Direct, texture, animate, and provide VFX for a visually provocative commercial.
  • Create UV maps and unique and/or tiling textures in various styles for game assets.
  • Show more

Animator vs video game animator skills

Common animator skills
  • Animation, 36%
  • Motion Capture, 7%
  • Storyboards, 5%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%
  • AAA, 3%
  • Graphic Design, 3%
Common video game animator skills
  • Animation, 36%
  • Motion Capture, 26%
  • Maya, 23%
  • Unity, 5%
  • Character Animation, 4%
  • Photoshop, 3%

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