Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between video game animators and technical 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 technical artist. Additionally, a technical artist has an average salary of $90,692, 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 technical artist are python, animation, and C++.
| Video Game Animator | Technical Artist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,133 | $90,692 |
| Hourly rate | $39.01 | $43.60 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,886 | 70,696 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
Technical artists are employees with an artistic streak and an in-depth knowledge of programming. They are usually employed to work on video games and other related media. They are expected to understand the technical aspects of both sides of the project: the art and the system behind it. They are involved in the creation of storyboards, art palettes, and animation schemes. They are also involved in the creation of the codes and programs to make the video game work. As such, they know how to balance the needs of both sides. They should be able to determine the feasibility of various elements in the project.
Video game animators and technical artists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Game Animator | Technical Artist | |
| Average salary | $81,133 | $90,692 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $135,000 | Between $57,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Novato, 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 technical artist in terms of educational background:
| Video Game Animator | Technical Artist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between video game animators' and technical artists' demographics:
| Video Game Animator | Technical Artist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| 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, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |