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3d specialist salary
Average 3d specialist salary
$78,890
Average 3D Specialist Salary
The average salary of a 3D Specialist in the United States is $78,890 per year. This figure reflects a growing industry that values skilled professionals in 3D modeling, animation, and design. Experience plays a significant role in salary determination, with entry-level positions starting lower and seasoned experts earning significantly more.
Geographic Impact on Earnings
Where you work can greatly influence your salary. States like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the presence of major companies and demand for 3D services. In contrast, states with lower living costs may offer less competitive rates but could still provide valuable opportunities.
Top Cities for 3D Specialists
Cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City are among the highest-paying locations for 3D Specialists. These urban centers not only offer higher salaries but also a wealth of networking opportunities, making them ideal for building a career in this field.
Career Advancement
As industries increasingly utilize 3D technology, professionals can expect continued growth in job openings and salary potential. Pursuing specialized training or advanced degrees can further enhance your earning potential and job prospects.
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Where can a 3D Specialist earn more?
Average 3d specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for 3d specialists are Nevada, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The lowest average 3d specialist salary states are Ohio, Montana, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for 3d specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $120,472 | $57.92 |
| 2 | Delaware | $115,750 | $55.65 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $89,537 | $43.05 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $117,531 | $56.51 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $116,068 | $55.80 |
| 6 | Iowa | $81,546 | $39.20 |
| 7 | New York | $93,949 | $45.17 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $114,718 | $55.15 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $117,308 | $56.40 |
| 10 | Maryland | $87,841 | $42.23 |
| 11 | Oregon | $83,753 | $40.27 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $77,822 | $37.41 |
| 13 | Idaho | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| 14 | Michigan | $82,707 | $39.76 |
| 15 | Kansas | $80,616 | $38.76 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $80,174 | $38.55 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $82,428 | $39.63 |
| 18 | Maine | $83,940 | $40.36 |
| 19 | Washington | $85,888 | $41.29 |
| 20 | Texas | $79,368 | $38.16 |
| 21 | Arkansas | $75,755 | $36.42 |
| 22 | Illinois | $84,342 | $40.55 |
| 23 | Indiana | $78,988 | $37.98 |
| 24 | California | $89,516 | $43.04 |
| 25 | Vermont | $71,290 | $34.27 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $76,323 | $36.69 |
| 27 | Arizona | $70,098 | $33.70 |
| 28 | Alaska | $66,901 | $32.16 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $79,281 | $38.12 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $76,073 | $36.57 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $64,765 | $31.14 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $56,968 | $27.39 |
| 33 | Florida | $61,706 | $29.67 |
| 34 | Colorado | $74,135 | $35.64 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $73,026 | $35.11 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $70,193 | $33.75 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $61,908 | $29.76 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $55,176 | $26.53 |
| 39 | Georgia | $60,728 | $29.20 |
| 40 | Virginia | $62,708 | $30.15 |
| 41 | Utah | $59,004 | $28.37 |
| 42 | Alabama | $56,423 | $27.13 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $43,711 | $21.01 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $47,183 | $22.68 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $47,651 | $22.91 |
| 46 | Montana | $48,942 | $23.53 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $58,537 | $28.14 |
| 48 | Missouri | $55,521 | $26.69 |
| 49 | Ohio | $50,879 | $24.46 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $55,167 | $26.52 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $47,673 | $22.92 |
Highest paying cities for 3d specialists
The highest-paying cities for 3d specialists are Las Vegas, NV, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $119,525 | $57.46 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $95,129 | $45.74 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $94,143 | $45.26 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $88,027 | $42.32 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $86,346 | $41.51 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $84,839 | $40.79 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $83,455 | $40.12 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $82,926 | $39.87 |
| 9 | Des Moines, IA | $81,015 | $38.95 |
| 10 | Overland Park, KS | $80,585 | $38.74 |
| 11 | Fort Worth, TX | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| 12 | Fayetteville, AR | $75,918 | $36.50 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs, CO | $74,349 | $35.74 |
| 14 | Andover, MA | $72,791 | $35.00 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $70,185 | $33.74 |
| 16 | Virginia Beach, VA | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $62,706 | $30.15 |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $60,939 | $29.30 |
| 20 | Murray, UT | $58,690 | $28.22 |
3d specialist salary details
A 3d specialist's salary ranges from $55,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $112,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a 3d specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $9,333 | $54 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $7,917 | $46 |
| Average | $78,890 | $6,574 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| 10th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
Highest paying 3d specialist jobs
The highest paying types of 3d specialists are technical artist, storyboard artist, and texture artist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Animator | $72,126 | $6,011 | $34.68 | 416 |
| Storyboard Artist | $90,053 | $7,504 | $43.29 | 3,757 |
| Animation Artist | $80,929 | $6,744 | $38.91 | 3,822 |
| Animator | $76,853 | $6,404 | $36.95 | 551 |
| Concept Artist | $85,713 | $7,143 | $41.21 | 3,596 |
| Lead Artist | $83,041 | $6,920 | $39.92 | 4,799 |
Top companies hiring 3d specialists now:
Which companies pay 3d specialists the most?
3d specialist salaries at Gap Inc. and Tesla are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average 3d specialist salary at companies like CyberCoders and Dassault Systèmes are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gap Inc. | $98,251 | $47.24 |
| 2 | Tesla | $95,313 | $45.82 |
| 3 | CyberCoders | $93,237 | $44.83 |
| 4 | Dassault Systèmes | $92,563 | $44.50 |
| 5 | Smith & Nephew | $82,670 | $39.75 |
| 6 | Medical Science & Computing, LLC | $82,559 | $39.69 |
| 7 | NCS Multistage | $82,531 | $39.68 |
| 8 | Design Tech Homes | $77,665 | $37.34 |
| 9 | Olsson | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| 10 | AECOM | $75,472 | $36.28 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
3d specialist salary trends
The average 3d specialist salary has risen by $17,128 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average 3d specialist earned $61,762 annually, but today, they earn $78,890 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for 3d specialists over the last decade.
Compare 3d specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average 3d specialist salary over time
Compare 3d specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
3d specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $78,900 | $37.93 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $76,400 | $36.74 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $73,600 | $35.40 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $71,600 | $34.43 | +7.4% |
| 2021 | $66,300 | $31.88 | +2.0% |
Recently added 3d specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invisible Agency | 3D Modeling Specialist-AI Trainer | Austin, TX | 06/11/2025 | $25,044 |
| Graham & Associates | Civil 3D IS The Key | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/10/2025 | $41,740 |
| Dewberry | Civil 3D Specialist | Lanham, MD | 05/02/2025 | $53,200 |
| Graham & Associates | Civil 3D IS The Key | Oklahoma City, OK | 03/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Jrmconstructionmanagementllc | 3D Visualization Specialist | New York, NY | 02/22/2025 | $67,000 |
| Graham & Associates | Civil 3D IS The Key | Oklahoma City, OK | 02/19/2025 | $41,740 |
| Graham & Associates | Civil 3D IS The Key | Oklahoma City, OK | 01/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Freelancer Technology Pty | 3DS MAX | Unity, PA | 10/23/2024 | $64,697 |
| Roblox | 3D Asset Specialist Contractor) | San Mateo, CA | 10/18/2024 | $48,001 |
| Graham & Associates | Civil 3D IS The Key | Oklahoma City, OK | 05/31/2024 | $41,740 |
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