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Computer artist salary
Average computer artist salary
$61,683
Understanding Computer Artist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average computer artist salary stands at $61,683 per year. This translates to around $30 per hour, reflecting the value placed on creativity and technical skills in various sectors, including video games, film, and advertising. Factors such as experience level, geographic location, and industry specialization significantly influence earning potential.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level computer artists can expect a starting salary around $40,000, with mid-career professionals averaging approximately $60,000. Experienced artists, especially those skilled in 3D modeling and animation, can command salaries exceeding $80,000. Additionally, roles that require advanced technical expertise often lead to higher compensation.
Top-Paying States
Salary estimates show that states like California, New York, and Washington offer some of the highest pay rates for computer artists. For example, computer artists in California can earn an average salary of over $70,000, driven by the concentration of tech and entertainment companies.
Job Opportunities
Exploring various job titles such as 3D modeler, game designer, or visual effects artist can lead to lucrative opportunities. The demand for skilled computer artists is projected to grow, making it an excellent career choice for those with a passion for digital art.
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Where can a Computer Artist earn more?
Computer artist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level computer artist | $38,500 | $18.53 |
| Mid-level computer artist | $54,000 | $25.97 |
| Senior-level computer artist | $84,200 | $40.50 |
Computer artist salary estimates from across the web
Average computer artist salary by state
The average computer artist salary in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average computer artist salary states are Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for computer artists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $81,225 | $39.05 |
| 2 | Washington | $90,857 | $43.68 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $86,297 | $41.49 |
| 4 | Virginia | $79,197 | $38.08 |
| 5 | Oregon | $72,114 | $34.67 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $71,348 | $34.30 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $78,046 | $37.52 |
| 8 | California | $76,016 | $36.55 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $65,529 | $31.50 |
| 10 | Idaho | $66,448 | $31.95 |
| 11 | Nevada | $67,320 | $32.37 |
| 12 | Alaska | $65,685 | $31.58 |
| 13 | New York | $73,524 | $35.35 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $71,498 | $34.37 |
| 15 | Utah | $64,329 | $30.93 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $62,659 | $30.12 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $68,879 | $33.11 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $59,951 | $28.82 |
| 19 | Montana | $62,759 | $30.17 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $65,959 | $31.71 |
| 21 | Arizona | $64,831 | $31.17 |
| 22 | Vermont | $62,686 | $30.14 |
| 23 | Illinois | $67,275 | $32.34 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $71,064 | $34.17 |
| 25 | Michigan | $60,863 | $29.26 |
| 26 | Delaware | $60,702 | $29.18 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $56,256 | $27.05 |
| 28 | Maine | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| 29 | Colorado | $62,727 | $30.16 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $54,860 | $26.38 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $55,539 | $26.70 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $60,719 | $29.19 |
| 33 | Iowa | $57,716 | $27.75 |
| 34 | Ohio | $57,367 | $27.58 |
| 35 | Indiana | $56,582 | $27.20 |
| 36 | Georgia | $57,309 | $27.55 |
| 37 | Florida | $56,654 | $27.24 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $52,524 | $25.25 |
| 39 | Texas | $52,334 | $25.16 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $54,435 | $26.17 |
| 41 | Missouri | $55,773 | $26.81 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $47,128 | $22.66 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $43,136 | $20.74 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $51,240 | $24.63 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $51,807 | $24.91 |
| 46 | Kansas | $50,548 | $24.30 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $51,612 | $24.81 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $50,153 | $24.11 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $49,384 | $23.74 |
| 50 | Alabama | $43,059 | $20.70 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $46,603 | $22.41 |
Highest paying cities for computer artists
The highest-paying cities for computer artists are Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, and San Francisco, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $91,567 | $44.02 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $86,356 | $41.52 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $84,788 | $40.76 |
| 4 | San Mateo, CA | $84,614 | $40.68 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $83,989 | $40.38 |
| 6 | Burbank, CA | $73,684 | $35.42 |
| 7 | Santa Monica, CA | $73,435 | $35.31 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $73,365 | $35.27 |
| 9 | Anaheim, CA | $72,482 | $34.85 |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | $69,983 | $33.65 |
| 11 | Birmingham, MI | $61,230 | $29.44 |
Computer artist salary details
A computer artist's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a computer artist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $61,683 | $5,140 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
Highest paying computer artist jobs
The highest paying types of computer artists are design director, lead designer, and senior designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance Designer | $57,260 | $4,772 | $27.53 | 45,914 |
| Design Director | $132,823 | $11,069 | $63.86 | 48,337 |
| Lead Designer | $110,001 | $9,167 | $52.89 | 45,423 |
| Web Designer | $63,842 | $5,320 | $30.69 | 50,899 |
| Freelancer | $59,367 | $4,947 | $28.54 | 2,088 |
| Web Graphic Designer | $52,574 | $4,381 | $25.28 | 51,462 |
Top companies hiring computer artists now:
Which companies pay computer artists the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PlayStation | $84,265 | $40.51 |
| 2 | Technicolor | $78,573 | $37.78 |
| 3 | Southern Graphics Inc | $62,132 | $29.87 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Computer Artist salary by industry
The average computer artist salary varies across industries:
- The average computer artist salary in the technology industry is $75,237, the highest of any industry.
- The average computer artist salary in the finance industry is $63,626.
- Computer artists in the media industry earn an average salary of $49,383, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for computer artists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $75,237 | $36.17 |
| 2 | Professional | $63,626 | $30.59 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $55,603 | $26.73 |
| 4 | Retail | $49,902 | $23.99 |
| 5 | Media | $49,383 | $23.74 |
High paying computer artist jobs
Computer artist salary trends
The average computer artist salary has risen by $10,828 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average computer artist earned $50,855 annually, but today, they earn $61,683 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for computer artists over the last decade.
Compare computer artist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average computer artist salary over time
Compare computer artist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Computer artist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,700 | $29.66 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $60,200 | $28.95 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $58,200 | $27.98 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $56,300 | $27.06 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $55,000 | $26.47 | +1.6% |
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