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Academy of art

Did you know? Academy of Art University is America's largest private accredited art university. Classes are taught by working professionals, with 30 distinct areas of study to choose from both online and on campus in the heart of San Francisco. Learn more.

What Are The Best States With The Best Pay For Animators and Multimedia Artists?

September 21, 2015 written by ACR Staff

Career
Top 10 States with Highest Pay for Animators and Multimedia Artists
StateAverage Salary
California$82,170
Washington$75,740
Massachusetts$73,470
New York$70,660
Idaho$69,450
District of Columbia$69,140
Illinois$68,830
Alabama$67,260
Maryland$65,790
New Jersey$64,100

Animators create animation and visual effects for films, video games, television, mobile devices, and other forms of media using illustrations and software programs. Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk3ds Max, and Autodesk Maya are just a few leading software programs for animators. Animators also create graphics and develop storyboards, drawings and illustrations. They create, plan, and script animated narrative sequences, and assist with background design and production coordination.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) combines multimedia artists and animators into one career group. According to the Bureau, “multimedia artists and animators often work in a specific medium. Some focus on creating animated movies or video games. Others create visual effects for movies and television shows. Creating computer-generated images (CGI) may include taking images of an actor’s movements, which are then animated into three-dimensional characters. Other animators design scenery or backgrounds for locations.”

According to the BLS, animators and multimedia artists work in the following industries:

  • Motion Picture and Video
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Software Publishers
  • Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
  • Specialized Design Services

The BLS also mentions that 57 percent of animators were self-employed in 2012. This is the most current figure for self-employed animators. These professionals, not just the self-employed, often work from home. Others work onsite at film, animation or video game production studios, cartoon networks, advertising agencies, web design and graphic design firms, mobile technology companies, and more. 

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According to the most current Bureau of Labor Statistics report (March 25, 2015), the mean annual wage for multimedia artists and animators is $69,410. The lowest paid multimedia artists and animators earn $35,510 per year and the highest paid earn $112,030 per year. At $81,760, multimedia artists and animators working in the “Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers” industry earn the highest mean annual wage.

It is important to keep in mind that besides industry, salaries for multimedia artist and animators vary company, experience, and even geographic location. For example, California-based multimedia artists and animators average $82,170 per year—the nations’ highest average salary for this profession, while Arkansas-based artists average $36,390—the lowest.

The highest paying states for multimedia artists and animators are as follows:

  1. California - $82,170 per year
  2. Washington - $75,740
  3. Massachusetts - $73,470
  4. New York - $70,660
  5. Idaho - $69,450
  6. District of Columbia - $69,140
  7. Illinois - $68,830
  8. Alabama - $67,260
  9. Maryland - $65,790
  10. New Jersey - $64,100
  11. Colorado - $63,440

The lowest paying states are:

  1. Kansas - $47,710 per year
  2. Wisconsin - $45,980
  3. Indiana - $45,970
  4. Oklahoma - $42,830
  5. Mississippi - $39,390
  6. Nebraska - $38,870
  7. South Dakota - $37,980
  8. Arkansas - $36,390 

Schools to Consider:

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Academy of Art University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • San Francisco & Online
Selected Programs:
  • Animation
  • Game Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
Request info
Full Sail University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs:
  • Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
  • Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
  • Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
  • Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
  • Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
  • Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
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The Los Angeles Film School
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs:
  • Animation - Bachelor of Science (Online)
  • Digital Filmmaking - Bachelor of Science (Online)
  • Graphic Design - Bachelor of Science (Online)

Awesome Animation Fact: In 1957, ORTRAN, a computer language, was developed, which in turn permitted designers to utilize the graphic capabilities of the computer. That same year, Hanna-Barbera (creators of Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, Flinstones, and more) was formed as well as The Association Internationale du Film d'Animation (ASIFA), France. –Bowling Green State University (BGSU)

 

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