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Computer animator vs 3d modeler

The differences between computer animators and 3d modelers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer animator and a 3d modeler. Additionally, a computer animator has an average salary of $81,438, which is higher than the $75,946 average annual salary of a 3d modeler.

The top three skills for a computer animator include animation, adobe photoshop and motion graphics. The most important skills for a 3d modeler are animation, adobe photoshop, and visualization.

Computer animator vs 3d modeler overview

Computer Animator3D Modeler
Yearly salary$81,438$75,946
Hourly rate$39.15$36.51
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs13,7901,245
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Computer animator vs 3d modeler salary

Computer animators and 3d modelers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Animator3D Modeler
Average salary$81,438$75,946
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $111,000Between $50,000 And $114,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney CompanyApple
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between computer animator and 3d modeler education

There are a few differences between a computer animator and a 3d modeler in terms of educational background:

Computer Animator3D Modeler
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorComputer ScienceAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer animator vs 3d modeler demographics

Here are the differences between computer animators' and 3d modelers' demographics:

Computer Animator3D Modeler
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 86.5% Female, 13.5%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer animator and 3d modeler duties and responsibilities

Computer animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Design and produce animation and graphics for local television commercials and corporate videos.
  • Facilitate product marketing, in-house video production and YouTube video development.
  • Base on personal interest and curiosity, create and direct group project exploring animation using OpenGL graphics library.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.
  • Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.

3d modeler example responsibilities.

  • Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
  • Partner with clients and a team of engineers to create detail and effective, multimedia training and sales aids.
  • Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.
  • Establish project direction and concepts, develop character designs and storyboards, and coordinate art assets from the project team.
  • Refine 3d concepts for production and rapid prototyping
  • Sketch technical drawings for architectural drawings and client presentations.
  • Show more

Computer animator vs 3d modeler skills

Common computer animator skills
  • Animation, 62%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Motion Graphics, 9%
  • Character Animation, 8%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Body Mechanics, 4%
Common 3d modeler skills
  • Animation, 10%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 7%
  • Visualization, 7%
  • Texture, 6%
  • UV, 5%
  • Auto CAD, 5%

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