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3d animator salary
Average 3d animator salary
$73,596
Average 3D Animator Salary
The average salary for a 3D Animator stands at $73,596 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on experience, skillset, and geographical location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced animators can command significantly higher wages.
Key Salary Influencers
Factors that affect a 3D Animator's salary include:
- Experience Level: More years in the field often lead to higher pay.
- Location: States like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the concentration of entertainment and tech industries.
- Industry: Animators in video game development or film may earn more than those in other sectors.
Understanding these dynamics helps aspiring animators gauge their earning potential and make informed career decisions.
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Where can a 3D Animator earn more?
3d animator salary estimates from across the web
Average 3d animator salary by state
The highest-paying states for 3d animators are Nevada, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The lowest average 3d animator salary states are Mississippi, Ohio, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for 3d animators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $108,808 | $52.31 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $109,877 | $52.83 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $109,227 | $52.51 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| 5 | Delaware | $107,274 | $51.57 |
| 6 | New York | $88,963 | $42.77 |
| 7 | California | $92,000 | $44.23 |
| 8 | Washington | $85,366 | $41.04 |
| 9 | Nevada | $125,627 | $60.40 |
| 10 | Maryland | $91,563 | $44.02 |
| 11 | Idaho | $83,697 | $40.24 |
| 12 | Oregon | $77,519 | $37.27 |
| 13 | Maine | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| 14 | Illinois | $79,995 | $38.46 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $76,075 | $36.57 |
| 16 | Iowa | $74,472 | $35.80 |
| 17 | Michigan | $76,222 | $36.65 |
| 18 | Virginia | $75,003 | $36.06 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $77,008 | $37.02 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $72,958 | $35.08 |
| 21 | Utah | $65,717 | $31.59 |
| 22 | Kansas | $72,191 | $34.71 |
| 23 | Colorado | $70,922 | $34.10 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $64,045 | $30.79 |
| 25 | Indiana | $71,520 | $34.38 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $63,826 | $30.69 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $71,237 | $34.25 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $66,456 | $31.95 |
| 29 | Texas | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| 30 | Arizona | $67,153 | $32.29 |
| 31 | Vermont | $66,166 | $31.81 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $67,946 | $32.67 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $71,456 | $34.35 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $54,829 | $26.36 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $60,134 | $28.91 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $66,425 | $31.94 |
| 37 | Florida | $57,978 | $27.87 |
| 38 | Alaska | $62,952 | $30.27 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $55,519 | $26.69 |
| 40 | Georgia | $50,374 | $24.22 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $50,515 | $24.29 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $40,312 | $19.38 |
| 44 | Ohio | $46,604 | $22.41 |
| 45 | Missouri | $49,593 | $23.84 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $43,799 | $21.06 |
| 47 | Alabama | $48,811 | $23.47 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $41,506 | $19.95 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $47,913 | $23.04 |
| 50 | Montana | $48,446 | $23.29 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $40,846 | $19.64 |
Highest paying cities for 3d animators
The highest-paying cities for 3d animators are San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $102,772 | $49.41 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $89,007 | $42.79 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $85,909 | $41.30 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $80,424 | $38.67 |
| 5 | Wilmington, NC | $75,006 | $36.06 |
| 6 | Englewood, NJ | $71,616 | $34.43 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $70,795 | $34.04 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $61,227 | $29.44 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| 10 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $57,639 | $27.71 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,137 | $26.99 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $50,536 | $24.30 |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $44,873 | $21.57 |
3d animator salary details
A 3d animator's salary ranges from $50,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a 3d animator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,000 | $7,500 | $43 |
| Average | $73,596 | $6,133 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
Highest paying 3d animator jobs
The highest paying types of 3d animators are interactive designer, visual designer, and animator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer, Marketing | $48,763 | $4,064 | $23.44 | 115,113 |
| Motion Graphics Designer | $62,558 | $5,213 | $30.08 | 44,960 |
| Web Graphic Designer | $52,574 | $4,381 | $25.28 | 51,462 |
| Interactive Designer | $97,929 | $8,161 | $47.08 | 48,136 |
| Freelance Designer | $57,260 | $4,772 | $27.53 | 45,914 |
| Graphic Designer/Production | $48,619 | $4,052 | $23.37 | 95,831 |
Top companies hiring 3d animators now:
Which companies pay 3d animators the most?
3d animator salaries at NVIDIA and Warner Bros. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average 3d animator salary at companies like Big Fish Games and Activision Blizzard are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NVIDIA | $132,505 | $63.70 |
| 2 | Warner Bros. | $99,168 | $47.68 |
| 3 | Big Fish Games | $94,601 | $45.48 |
| 4 | Activision Blizzard | $93,973 | $45.18 |
| 5 | Rooster Teeth | $91,287 | $43.89 |
| 6 | WarnerMedia | $86,023 | $41.36 |
| 7 | Grover Gaming | $84,515 | $40.63 |
| 8 | Arthrex | $82,542 | $39.68 |
| 9 | RS&H | $76,744 | $36.90 |
| 10 | Robert Half | $75,568 | $36.33 |
| 11 | Zimmerman Advertising | $68,377 | $32.87 |
| 12 | WET | $67,130 | $32.27 |
| 13 | Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center | $66,152 | $31.80 |
| 14 | DDB | $64,066 | $30.80 |
| 15 | CACI International | $61,809 | $29.72 |
| 16 | Make School | $45,658 | $21.95 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
3d animator salary trends
The average 3d animator salary has risen by $15,979 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average 3d animator earned $57,617 annually, but today, they earn $73,596 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for 3d animators over the last decade.
Compare 3d animator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average 3d animator salary over time
Compare 3d animator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
3d animator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,600 | $35.38 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $71,300 | $34.28 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $68,700 | $33.02 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $66,800 | $32.12 | +7.4% |
| 2021 | $61,900 | $29.74 | +2.0% |
Recently added 3d animator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand New School | 2D/3D Animator | Los Angeles, CA | 04/28/2025 | $70,000 |
| Liquid Development | Senior 3D Animator | Portland, OR | 04/20/2025 | $60,000 |
| Keywords Studios | Senior 3D Animator | Portland, OR | 04/20/2025 | $60,000 |
| Vast Inc. | 3D Animator | Long Beach, CA | 03/26/2025 | $90,000 |
| Brand New School | 2D/3D Animator | Los Angeles, CA | 03/26/2025 | $70,000 |
| Vast Space | 3D Animator | Long Beach, CA | 02/25/2025 | $90,000 |
| Vast Inc. | 3D Animator | Long Beach, CA | 02/18/2025 | $90,000 |
| Liquid Development | Senior 3D Animator | Portland, OR | 02/13/2025 | $70,000 |
| Keywords Studios | Senior 3D Animator | Portland, OR | 02/09/2025 | $70,000 |
| Jjlabs LLC | 3D Animator | New York | 12/22/2024 | $85,000 |
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