Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Animation internship salary
Average animation internship salary
$15.35
Average Animation Internship Salary
The average salary for an animation internship stands at approximately $31,922 per year, equating to around $15 per hour. This figure reflects various factors, including location, employer, and industry demand. Notably, internships in major metropolitan areas typically offer higher pay due to the cost of living and competitive job market.
Where Can Animation Interns Earn More?
States such as California and New York often provide the highest salaries for animation interns, with cities like Los Angeles and New York City leading in compensation rates. Interns can expect variable wages based on their specific role and the company they work for.
Key Insights
- Average hourly wage: $15
- Highest paying state: California
- Top cities for opportunities: Los Angeles, New York City
Understanding these salary trends can help aspiring animators target internships that align with their financial expectations and career aspirations.
Let Zippi find your next animation internship job
Let Zippi find your next animation internship job
Where can an Animation Internship earn more?
Average animation internship salary by state
The average animation internship salary in New York, California, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average animation internship salary states are Florida, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for animation interns
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $35,873 | $17.25 |
| 2 | New York | $38,886 | $18.70 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $40,075 | $19.27 |
| 4 | Idaho | $33,745 | $16.22 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $34,756 | $16.71 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $34,443 | $16.56 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $35,956 | $17.29 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $33,357 | $16.04 |
| 9 | Maine | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| 10 | Washington | $34,204 | $16.44 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $33,782 | $16.24 |
| 12 | California | $36,551 | $17.57 |
| 13 | Nevada | $32,589 | $15.67 |
| 14 | Delaware | $33,475 | $16.09 |
| 15 | Oregon | $32,914 | $15.82 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $32,060 | $15.41 |
| 17 | Arizona | $31,922 | $15.35 |
| 18 | Illinois | $32,142 | $15.45 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $30,045 | $14.44 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $32,643 | $15.69 |
| 21 | Utah | $30,359 | $14.60 |
| 22 | Vermont | $31,848 | $15.31 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 24 | Alaska | $32,863 | $15.80 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $29,768 | $14.31 |
| 26 | Colorado | $31,243 | $15.02 |
| 27 | Iowa | $29,414 | $14.14 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $29,401 | $14.14 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $29,084 | $13.98 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $28,955 | $13.92 |
| 31 | Maryland | $29,947 | $14.40 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $28,699 | $13.80 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $29,594 | $14.23 |
| 34 | Texas | $28,965 | $13.93 |
| 35 | Indiana | $28,777 | $13.84 |
| 36 | Michigan | $28,293 | $13.60 |
| 37 | Kansas | $28,629 | $13.76 |
| 38 | Missouri | $28,557 | $13.73 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $27,348 | $13.15 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $26,612 | $12.79 |
| 41 | Georgia | $27,313 | $13.13 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $26,196 | $12.59 |
| 43 | Montana | $27,082 | $13.02 |
| 44 | Alabama | $26,036 | $12.52 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $25,319 | $12.17 |
| 46 | Virginia | $26,245 | $12.62 |
| 47 | Florida | $25,860 | $12.43 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $25,630 | $12.32 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $23,995 | $11.54 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $23,482 | $11.29 |
| 51 | Ohio | $23,236 | $11.17 |
Highest paying cities for animation interns
The highest-paying cities for animation interns are New York, NY, Rohnert Park, CA, and Post Falls, ID.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 2 | Rohnert Park, CA | $37,371 | $17.97 |
| 3 | Post Falls, ID | $35,378 | $17.01 |
| 4 | Vancouver, WA | $33,838 | $16.27 |
| 5 | Corvallis, OR | $33,055 | $15.89 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $32,626 | $15.69 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $32,236 | $15.50 |
| 8 | Oro Valley, AZ | $31,691 | $15.24 |
| 9 | Broomfield, CO | $31,348 | $15.07 |
| 10 | Cherry Hill, NJ | $29,396 | $14.13 |
| 11 | Ames, IA | $29,383 | $14.13 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $29,319 | $14.10 |
| 13 | West Lafayette, IN | $28,921 | $13.90 |
| 14 | Manhattan, KS | $28,799 | $13.85 |
| 15 | Grand Rapids, MI | $28,426 | $13.67 |
| 16 | Springdale, AR | $27,556 | $13.25 |
| 17 | Laplace, LA | $26,644 | $12.81 |
| 18 | Birmingham, AL | $26,071 | $12.53 |
| 19 | Gainesville, FL | $26,015 | $12.51 |
| 20 | Norfolk, VA | $25,979 | $12.49 |
Animation internship salary details
An animation internship's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an animation internship's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $31,922 | $2,660 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying animation internship jobs
The highest paying types of animation interns are freelance makeup artist, pet care associate, and animal shelter worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance Makeup Artist | $42,487 | $3,541 | $20.43 | 4,009 |
| Pet Groomer | $32,139 | $2,678 | $15.45 | 63,641 |
| Dog Walker | $30,893 | $2,574 | $14.85 | 5,474 |
| Dog Walker/Pet Sitter | $30,871 | $2,573 | $14.84 | 70,256 |
| Kennel Attendant | $26,373 | $2,198 | $12.68 | 72,239 |
| Bather | $31,051 | $2,588 | $14.93 | 56,255 |
Top companies hiring animation interns now:
Which companies pay animation interns the most?
Animation internship salaries at Massachusetts General Hospital and LAIKA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average animation internship salary at companies like Connecticut Veterinary Center and Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $78,956 | $37.96 |
| 2 | LAIKA | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| 3 | Connecticut Veterinary Center | $34,688 | $16.68 |
| 4 | Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota | $34,476 | $16.57 |
| 5 | Oregon State University | $33,592 | $16.15 |
| 6 | Hunter Douglas | $33,433 | $16.07 |
| 7 | Stark | $33,278 | $16.00 |
| 8 | Partners Healthcare Solutions Inc | $33,240 | $15.98 |
| 9 | Alliance Health | $33,074 | $15.90 |
| 10 | ASPCA | $32,317 | $15.54 |
| 11 | Tufts University | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| 12 | North Carolina A&T State University | $30,449 | $14.64 |
| 13 | Orange County | $30,431 | $14.63 |
| 14 | Tuskegee University | $27,838 | $13.38 |
| 15 | Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| 16 | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | $26,521 | $12.75 |
| 17 | Six Flags | $25,617 | $12.32 |
| 18 | Iowa State University | $24,946 | $11.99 |
| 19 | Kansas State University | $24,449 | $11.75 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Animation internship salary trends
The average animation internship salary has risen by $8,042 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average animation internship earned $23,880 annually, but today, they earn $31,922 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for animation interns over the last decade.
Compare animation internship salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average animation internship salary over time
Compare animation internship salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Animation internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,900 | $15.35 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | $30,300 | $14.58 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $13.98 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $28,100 | $13.51 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $26,900 | $12.94 | +4.5% |
Recently added animation internship salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nbcuniversal | Animation Production Intern, Dreamworks, Fall 2025 | Glendale, CA | 06/29/2025 | $37,295 |
| Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | Interactive Animal Programs Intern-Free Flight Amphitheater | Omaha, NE | 06/15/2025 | $28,175 |
| Aza | Interactive Animal Programs Intern-Free Flight Amphitheater | Omaha, NE | 06/14/2025 | $28,175 |
| Thrive Pet Healthcare | Veterinary Large Animal Internship-Equine or Bovine | Austin, TX | 06/11/2025 | $55,000 |
| Aza | Animal Care Paid Internship | Nashville, TN | 06/03/2025 | $26,088 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Animal Welfare Intern | Chicago, IL | 05/25/2025 | $35,062 |
| Aza | Animal Welfare Intern | Chicago, IL | 05/16/2025 | $35,062 |
| Thrive Pet Healthcare | Veterinary Large Animal Internship-Equine or Bovine | Austin, TX | 05/05/2025 | $55,000 |
| Neuralink | Animal Care Intern | Austin, TX | 04/28/2025 | $52,175 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Animal Enrichment Intern | Chicago, IL | 04/28/2025 | $34,227 |
Animation internship salary FAQs
Search for animation internship jobs