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Special effects designer vs 3d animator

The differences between special effects designers and 3d animators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a special effects designer and a 3d animator. Additionally, a 3d animator has an average salary of $73,596, which is higher than the $71,523 average annual salary of a special effects designer.

Special effects designer vs 3d animator overview

Special Effects Designer3D Animator
Yearly salary$71,523$73,596
Hourly rate$34.39$35.38
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs54,314571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Special effects designer vs 3d animator salary

Special effects designers and 3d animators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Effects Designer3D Animator
Average salary$71,523$73,596
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $125,000Between $50,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-NVIDIA
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between special effects designer and 3d animator education

There are a few differences between a special effects designer and a 3d animator in terms of educational background:

Special Effects Designer3D Animator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorGraphic DesignAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special effects designer vs 3d animator demographics

Here are the differences between special effects designers' and 3d animators' demographics:

Special Effects Designer3D Animator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 64.1% Female, 35.9%Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between special effects designer and 3d animator duties and responsibilities

Special effects designer example responsibilities.

  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Develop handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
  • Provide additional support with occasional photo and video shoots, video editing and animation.

3d animator example responsibilities.

  • Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
  • Attend pre-production meetings and film shootings to assist directors in vfx shoot execution.
  • Animate in-game characters and cinematic sequences for transmedia projects on iOS and PC.
  • Animate monster truck 3D characters in Maya for a children's programming Youtube channel.
  • Develop episodes from concept to completion (design, color, cleanup, FX, audio editing).
  • Create the game animations for the enemies in the game as well as all VFX that appear in game.
  • Show more

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