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2D Background Artist Salary in the United States

How much does a 2D Background Artist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2D Background Artist in the United States is $70,987 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,671
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,496 to $78,673
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,765
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out 2D Background Artist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence 2D Background Artist Salaries

A 2D Background 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 Background Artist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 2D Background 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): $65,168
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,871
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,920
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,909
  • Expert (over 8 years): $73,443
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level 2D Background Artist less than 1 year $65,168
Early Career Level 2D Background Artist 1-2 years $65,871
Mid-Level Level 2D Background Artist 2-4 years $69,920
Senior-Level Level 2D Background Artist 5-8 years $72,909
Expert Level 2D Background Artist over 8 years $73,443

How Do 2D Background 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 Background Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $78,597.
  • California: $78,299.
  • Massachusetts: $77,255.

Top Paying Cities for 2D Background 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: $89,536
  • San Francisco: $88,556
  • Oakland: $86,690

2D Background Artist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 2D Background Artist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, 2D Background Artist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 2D Background Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 2D Background Artist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $99,382 $48.0 40%
MFG Nondurable $95,833 $46.0 35%
Business Services $92,283 $44.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $88,734 $43.0 25%
Aerospace & Defense $85,185 $41.0 20%

How Education impacts a 2D Background Artist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2D Background Artist professionals enter the field with a high school 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 Background Artist with a high school is between $67,952 and $73,711.

2D Background Artist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 2D Background Artist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 4.3%
High School 12.8%
Associate's Degree 13.4%
Bachelor's Degree 59.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 9.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.7%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a 2D Background 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 September 01, 2026
$62,496
Average $70,987/year
$78,673
$5,208
Average $5,916/month
$6,556
$1,202
Average $1,365/week
$1,513
$30
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,673 $6,556 $1,513 $38
Average $70,987 $5,916 $1,365 $34
25th Percentile $62,496 $5,208 $1,202 $30

Most common benefits for 2D Background Artist

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

Common company salaries for 2D Background Artist

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

Find Your Next 2D Background Artist Job

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

  • Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Radiology

    Ohio | Columbus, OH

    100% Remote - Ohio Neuro Teleradiology JobClinical Role. Do you know someone that might be a good fit for this position. Please ask about our generous refe... more

    10 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Ultrasonographer

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    21 Days Ago

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FAQ about 2D Background Artist

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for 2D Background Artist roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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