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Computer animator salary
Average computer animator salary
$81,438
Understanding Computer Animator Salaries
In the realm of animation, Computer Animators are key players in various industries, from film and gaming to advertising. As of October 2025, the average salary for a Computer Animator is $81,438 per year. Salaries can differ significantly based on factors such as experience, education, and location. For instance, animators in states like California and New York typically see higher compensation due to the cost of living and industry demand.
Moreover, the highest-paying industries for animators often include film production, video game development, and advertising. Positions in these sectors frequently offer salaries above the national average, reflecting the specialized skills required. Entry-level animators might start at lower salaries, but with experience and a strong portfolio, they can command significantly higher wages, making this a lucrative career path for creative professionals.
Job seekers should also consider additional benefits such as flexible working conditions, opportunities for remote work, and ongoing training programs, which can enhance overall job satisfaction. Staying informed about industry trends and networking within the community can further support career advancement.
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Where can a Computer Animator earn more?
Computer animator salary estimates from across the web
Average computer animator salary by state
The average computer animator salary in Nevada, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average computer animator salary states are Louisiana, Ohio, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for computer animators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $118,505 | $56.97 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $116,824 | $56.17 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $117,035 | $56.27 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $118,256 | $56.85 |
| 5 | Nevada | $123,096 | $59.18 |
| 6 | Delaware | $117,623 | $56.55 |
| 7 | Maryland | $89,481 | $43.02 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $85,645 | $41.18 |
| 9 | Oregon | $86,756 | $41.71 |
| 10 | California | $92,767 | $44.60 |
| 11 | North Carolina | $94,702 | $45.53 |
| 12 | Idaho | $85,423 | $41.07 |
| 13 | New York | $95,061 | $45.70 |
| 14 | Iowa | $85,979 | $41.34 |
| 15 | Michigan | $83,744 | $40.26 |
| 16 | Washington | $89,394 | $42.98 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $80,994 | $38.94 |
| 18 | Kansas | $84,912 | $40.82 |
| 19 | Maine | $84,193 | $40.48 |
| 20 | Texas | $85,380 | $41.05 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $82,338 | $39.59 |
| 22 | Vermont | $71,768 | $34.50 |
| 23 | Indiana | $82,195 | $39.52 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $81,758 | $39.31 |
| 25 | Arizona | $73,294 | $35.24 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $73,521 | $35.35 |
| 27 | Colorado | $77,732 | $37.37 |
| 28 | Alaska | $68,294 | $32.83 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $72,166 | $34.70 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $80,746 | $38.82 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $80,315 | $38.61 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $80,212 | $38.56 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $59,782 | $28.74 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $65,699 | $31.59 |
| 35 | Virginia | $64,688 | $31.10 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $60,054 | $28.87 |
| 37 | Florida | $68,487 | $32.93 |
| 38 | Georgia | $66,687 | $32.06 |
| 39 | Alabama | $62,006 | $29.81 |
| 40 | Utah | $61,502 | $29.57 |
| 41 | Illinois | $67,603 | $32.50 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $65,712 | $31.59 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $47,799 | $22.98 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $60,832 | $29.25 |
| 45 | Montana | $51,359 | $24.69 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $58,421 | $28.09 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $49,714 | $23.90 |
| 48 | Ohio | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $52,133 | $25.06 |
| 50 | Missouri | $58,833 | $28.29 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $51,713 | $24.86 |
Highest paying cities for computer animators
The highest-paying cities for computer animators are Las Vegas, NV, Mountain View, CA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | $122,443 | $58.87 |
| 2 | Mountain View, CA | $97,427 | $46.84 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $95,184 | $45.76 |
| 4 | Burbank, CA | $91,081 | $43.79 |
| 5 | Santa Monica, CA | $91,065 | $43.78 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $91,021 | $43.76 |
| 7 | Marina del Rey, CA | $91,013 | $43.76 |
| 8 | Irvine, CA | $90,509 | $43.51 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $86,334 | $41.51 |
Computer animator salary details
A computer animator's salary ranges from $59,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $111,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a computer animator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $9,250 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $8,000 | $46 |
| Average | $81,438 | $6,787 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
Highest paying computer animator jobs
The highest paying types of computer animators are technical artist, storyboard artist, and texture artist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storyboard Artist | $90,053 | $7,504 | $43.29 | 3,757 |
| 3D Modeler | $75,946 | $6,329 | $36.51 | 1,245 |
| Technical Artist | $90,692 | $7,558 | $43.60 | 70,696 |
| 3D Artist | $74,721 | $6,227 | $35.92 | 3,978 |
| Motion Graphics Artist | $67,079 | $5,590 | $32.25 | 4,288 |
| Visual Artist | $81,873 | $6,823 | $39.36 | 7,209 |
Top companies hiring computer animators now:
Which companies pay computer animators the most?
Computer animator salaries at The Walt Disney Company and LAIKA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average computer animator salary at companies like Blur Studio and Shift4 are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Walt Disney Company | $109,731 | $52.76 |
| 2 | LAIKA | $91,243 | $43.87 |
| 3 | Blur Studio | $87,162 | $41.90 |
| 4 | Shift4 | $82,758 | $39.79 |
| 5 | LOGAN.tv | $82,503 | $39.66 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Computer Animator salary by industry
The average computer animator salary varies across industries:
- The average computer animator salary in the technology industry is $95,510, the highest of any industry.
- The average computer animator salary in the finance industry is $90,049.
- Computer animators in the finance industry earn an average salary of $82,732, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for computer animators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $95,510 | $45.92 |
| 2 | Media | $90,049 | $43.29 |
| 3 | Education | $86,608 | $41.64 |
| 4 | Finance | $82,732 | $39.77 |
High paying computer animator jobs
Computer animator salary trends
The average computer animator salary has risen by $17,682 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average computer animator earned $63,756 annually, but today, they earn $81,438 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for computer animators over the last decade.
Compare computer animator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average computer animator salary over time
Compare computer animator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Computer animator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $81,400 | $39.15 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $78,900 | $37.93 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $76,000 | $36.54 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $73,900 | $35.54 | +7.4% |
| 2021 | $68,400 | $32.90 | +2.0% |
Recently added computer animator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen Comm College | Adjunct Opportunities-Computer Animation | Paramus, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $48,105 |
| Lola Visual Effects LLC | Computer Graphics Animator | Los Angeles, CA | 12/30/2024 | $120,000 |
| Lola Visual Effects LLC | Computer Graphics Animator | Los Angeles, CA | 12/30/2024 | $120,000 |
| Lola Visual Effects LLC | Computer Graphics Animator | Los Angeles, CA | 12/30/2024 | $120,000 |
Computer animator salary FAQs
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