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The differences between video game animators and character 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 video game animator and a character animator. Additionally, a video game animator has an average salary of $81,133, which is higher than the $72,126 average annual salary of a character animator.
The top three skills for a video game animator include animation, motion capture and maya. The most important skills for a character animator are animation, maya, and character animation.
| Video Game Animator | Character Animator | |
| Yearly salary | $81,133 | $72,126 |
| Hourly rate | $39.01 | $34.68 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,886 | 416 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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.
A character animator specializes in developing life-like character designs for film, television, advertisements, and video games using special animation software. Their job usually entails understanding project requirements, conducting research, developing drafts and models, adding different effects to enhance designs, presenting designs to lead animators, and performing revisions when necessary. They are also responsible for adhering to deadlines and budgets, producing reports, and solving issues and concerns. Moreover, a character animator usually works in a team setting, which requires an open and transparent line of communication for a successful workflow.
Video game animators and character animators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Game Animator | Character Animator | |
| Average salary | $81,133 | $72,126 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $135,000 | Between $46,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a video game animator and a character animator in terms of educational background:
| Video Game Animator | Character Animator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Animation | Animation |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between video game animators' and character animators' demographics:
| Video Game Animator | Character Animator | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |