Animation Compositor Salary in the United States

How much does an Animation Compositor make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animation Compositor in the United States is $78,681 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,852
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,677 to $90,287
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,211

Key Factors That Influence Animation Compositor Salaries

An Animation Compositor'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 Animation Compositor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animation Compositor'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): $66,984
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,264
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,338
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $119,327
  • Expert (over 8 years): $139,812
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
CAD Drafter I less than 1 year $66,984
Animation Compositor 1-2 years $76,264
CAD Drafter III 2-4 years $92,338
CAD Drafter IV 5-8 years $119,327
CAD Drafter V over 8 years $139,812

Top Paying Cities for Animation Compositor

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: $99,241
  • San Francisco: $98,154
  • Oakland: $96,086

Animation Compositor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animation Compositor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Animation Compositor positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animation Compositor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animation Compositor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $106,220 $51.0 35%
Aerospace & Defense $102,286 $49.0 30%
Financial Services $98,352 $47.0 25%
Construction $94,418 $45.0 20%
Internet $94,418 $45.0 20%

How Education impacts an Animation Compositor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Animation Compositor 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 an Animation Compositor with a high school is between $75,297 and $80,219.

Animation Compositor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Animation Compositor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 21%
Associate's Degree 54%
Bachelor's Degree 21.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 1.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.3%

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

Understanding how an Animation Compositor'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
$72,677
Average $78,681/year
$90,287
$6,056
Average $6,557/month
$7,524
$1,398
Average $1,513/week
$1,736
$35
Average $38/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $90,287 $7,524 $1,736 $43
Average $78,681 $6,557 $1,513 $38
25th Percentile $72,677 $6,056 $1,398 $35

Most common benefits for Animation Compositor

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

Common company salaries for Animation Compositor

Here are companies hiring for Animation Compositor and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Animation Compositor Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Animation Compositor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Animation Compositor?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Animation Compositor roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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