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Animation Assistant Salary in California

How much does an Animation Assistant make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animation Assistant in California is $66,775 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Animation Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,364
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,189 to $74,935
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,283
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Animation Assistant Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Animation Assistant Salaries

An Animation Assistant'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Animation Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animation Assistant'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): $50,235
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,522
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,075
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $86,661
  • Expert (over 8 years): $99,489
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Sales Assistant I less than 1 year $50,235
Sales Assistant II 1-2 years $56,522
Animation Assistant 2-4 years $65,075
Sales Assistant Team Leader 5-8 years $86,661
Sales Support Supervisor over 8 years $99,489

How Do Animation Assistant 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 Animation Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $67,029.
  • California: $66,775.
  • Massachusetts: $65,885.

Top Paying Cities for Animation Assistant

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:

  • Los Angeles: $66,890
  • West Hollywood: $66,841
  • Dodgertown: $66,889

Animation Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animation Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Animation Assistant positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animation Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Animation Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $100,162 $48.0 50%

Animation Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animation Assistant'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$59,189
Average $66,775/year
$74,935
$4,932
Average $5,565/month
$6,245
$1,138
Average $1,284/week
$1,441
$28
Average $32/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,935 $6,245 $1,441 $36
Average $66,775 $5,565 $1,284 $32
25th Percentile $59,189 $4,932 $1,138 $28

Find Your Next Animation Assistant Job

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

  • NBCUniversal | Glendale, CA

    Training DreamWorks Animation Summer

    NBCUniversal | Glendale, CA

    Company DescriptionDreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventio... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Skydance | Santa Monica, CA

    Meet with Skydance Animation Lightbox Expo

    Skydance | Santa Monica, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. If you're interested in learning more about our studio, exploring full-time opportunities, or receiving feedback on your ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. | Los Angeles, CA

    Trainee Creative

    Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. | Los Angeles, CA

    Los Angeles , California. (Onsite) REQ ID JR114578 Application Deadline:October 15, 2026 Program Dates:January 4 or 11, 2027 - December 17, 2027 Start and ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Mercor | San Francisco, CA

    Facial Animation Specialist Fully

    Mercor | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About the job. Mercor. connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San F... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Meetingcpp GmbH | San Francisco, CA

    Performance Oriented Senior C++ Engineer core animation runtime Rive

    Meetingcpp GmbH | San Francisco, CA

    Remote Performance Oriented, Sr.C+Engineer for core animation runtime at Rivepublished at 10.04.2025 13 :14Location :RemoteCompany :RiveRemote support for ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Meetingcpp GmbH | Fremont, CA

    Performance Oriented Senior C++ Engineer core animation runtime Rive

    Meetingcpp GmbH | Fremont, CA

    Remote Performance Oriented, Sr.C+Engineer for core animation runtime at Rivepublished at 10.04.2025 13 :14Location :RemoteCompany :RiveRemote support for ... more

    7 Days Ago

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