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The differences between video game animators and lead 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 a lead artist. Additionally, a lead artist has an average salary of $83,041, which is higher than the $81,133 average annual salary of a video game animator.
The top three skills for a video game animator include animation, motion capture and maya. The most important skills for a lead artist are maya, animation, and portfolio.
| Video Game Animator | Lead Artist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,133 | $83,041 |
| Hourly rate | $39.01 | $39.92 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,886 | 4,799 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
The duties of a lead artist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to identify and meet their needs, coordinating with the creative staff in developing concepts and samples to present to the clients, conducting revisions, and submitting finished works according to the prescribed format and manner. Furthermore, as a lead artist, it is essential to spearhead the efforts and encourage the team to reach goals, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including the clients' vision.
Video game animators and lead artists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Game Animator | Lead Artist | |
| Average salary | $81,133 | $83,041 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $135,000 | Between $53,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a video game animator and a lead artist in terms of educational background:
| Video Game Animator | Lead Artist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between video game animators' and lead artists' demographics:
| Video Game Animator | Lead Artist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5% |
| 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, 7.6% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |