How much does an Animation Assistant make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animation Assistant in California is $66,755 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): $82,340
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,177 to $74,913
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,277

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): $50,224
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,501
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,056
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $86,623
  • Expert (over 8 years): $99,486
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Sales Assistant I less than 1 year $50,224
Sales Assistant II 1-2 years $56,501
Animation Assistant 2-4 years $65,056
Sales Assistant Team Leader 5-8 years $86,623
Sales Support Supervisor over 8 years $99,486

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: $66,870
  • West Hollywood: $66,822
  • Dodgertown: $66,870

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 $100,133 $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 August 01, 2026
$59,177
Average $66,755/year
$74,913
$4,931
Average $5,563/month
$6,243
$1,138
Average $1,284/week
$1,441
$28
Average $32/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,913 $6,243 $1,441 $36
Average $66,755 $5,563 $1,284 $32
25th Percentile $59,177 $4,931 $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

    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

    6 Days Ago

  • The Walt Disney Company | Burbank, CA

    The Walt Disney Company | Burbank, CA

    Job Posting Title:Executive Assistant, Business Affairs (20th Animation)Req ID:10142865Job Description:The SVP of Business Affairs at 20th Animation is see... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Mercor | San Francisco, CA

    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

  • Concorde Education | Visalia, CA

    Concorde Education | Visalia, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. POTENTIAL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS. Program. Digital Animation Instructor Opportunities. Location... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Concorde Education | Simi Valley, CA

    Concorde Education | Simi Valley, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. POTENTIAL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS. Program. Digital Animation Instructor Opportunities. Location... more

    9 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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