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The differences between video game animators and animation artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a video game animator and an animation artist. Additionally, a video game animator has an average salary of $81,133, which is higher than the $80,929 average annual salary of an animation artist.
The top three skills for a video game animator include animation, motion capture and maya. The most important skills for an animation artist are animation, maya, and character animation.
| Video Game Animator | Animation Artist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,133 | $80,929 |
| Hourly rate | $39.01 | $38.91 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,886 | 3,822 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
This is a multimedia artist and animator with a specialty in video games. They use a combination of arts and technology to create special effects, interactive animated images, and an environment for video games. They are expected to work alongside other departments to ensure that all visual artwork meets the specifications of clients. They are responsible for researching trends in video game animation, as well as statistics and techniques. Additionally, they may have to compile briefs and reports and even present your ideas and research findings before potential investors.
Animation artists or animators are skilled professionals who create multiple images that form animation, which can be seen in movies, commercials, television programs, and video games. To produce those illusions of movements, animation artists must use several animation software such as Maya, AfterEffects, and Photoshop. They must collaborate with graphic designers and editors to create animations for the entire show. Animation artists must also create high-quality animations by producing expressive characters that can portray a wide range of emotions.
Video game animators and animation artists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Game Animator | Animation Artist | |
| Average salary | $81,133 | $80,929 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $135,000 | Between $52,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Las Vegas, NV |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a video game animator and an animation artist in terms of educational background:
| Video Game Animator | Animation Artist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Animation | Animation |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between video game animators' and animation artists' demographics:
| Video Game Animator | Animation Artist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |