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2D/3D Artist Salary in the United States

How much does a 2D/3D Artist make in the United States? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2D/3D Artist in the United States is $75,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a 2D/3D Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,547
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,329 to $82,206
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,945
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out 2D/3D Artist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence 2D/3D Artist Salaries

A 2D/3D Artist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects 2D/3D Artist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 2D/3D Artist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $61,503
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,791
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $87,486
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $108,030
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,018
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Graphic Design Specialist I less than 1 year $61,503
2D/3D Artist 1-2 years $73,791
Graphic Design Specialist III 2-4 years $87,486
Graphic Design Specialist IV 5-8 years $108,030
Graphic Design Specialist V over 8 years $127,018

How Do 2D/3D Artist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract 2D/3D Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $83,308.
  • California: $82,992.
  • Massachusetts: $81,886.

Top Paying Cities for 2D/3D Artist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $94,903
  • San Francisco: $93,864
  • Oakland: $91,886

2D/3D Artist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 2D/3D Artist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, 2D/3D Artist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 2D/3D Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 2D/3D Artist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $97,815 $47.0 30%
Software & Networking $97,815 $47.0 30%
Internet $94,053 $45.0 25%
Biotechnology $90,291 $43.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $90,291 $43.0 20%

How Education impacts a 2D/3D Artist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2D/3D Artist professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a 2D/3D Artist with a Associate's is between $67,790 and $71,824.

2D/3D Artist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 2D/3D Artist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.7%
High School 9.7%
Associate's Degree 19.6%
Bachelor's Degree 65.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 4.4%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

2D/3D Artist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 2D/3D Artist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$69,329
Average $75,242/year
$82,206
$5,777
Average $6,270/month
$6,851
$1,333
Average $1,447/week
$1,581
$33
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,206 $6,851 $1,581 $40
Average $75,242 $6,270 $1,447 $36
25th Percentile $69,329 $5,777 $1,333 $33

Most common benefits for 2D/3D Artist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for 2D/3D Artist

Here are companies hiring for 2D/3D Artist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next 2D/3D Artist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current 2D/3D Artist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about 2D/3D Artist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for 2D/3D Artist?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for 2D/3D Artist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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