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Animator/Illustrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Animator/Illustrator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Animator/Illustrator in the United States is $60,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, an Animator/Illustrator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,512
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,289 to $68,592
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,188
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Animator/Illustrator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Animator/Illustrator Salaries

An Animator/Illustrator'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 Animator/Illustrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Animator/Illustrator'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): $51,127
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,407
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,146
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $76,464
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,853
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
HR Service Center Representative I less than 1 year $51,127
Animator/Illustrator 1-2 years $59,407
HR Service Center Representative III 2-4 years $70,146
HR Service Center Supervisor 5-8 years $76,464
HR Service Center Senior Supervisor over 8 years $86,853

How Do Animator/Illustrator 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 Animator/Illustrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $67,529.
  • California: $67,272.
  • Massachusetts: $66,376.

Top Paying Cities for Animator/Illustrator

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: $76,927
  • San Francisco: $76,085
  • Oakland: $74,481

Animator/Illustrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Animator/Illustrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Animator/Illustrator positions in Energy & Utilities or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Animator/Illustrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Animator/Illustrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $73,188 $35.0 20%
Chemicals $70,139 $34.0 15%
Transportation $69,529 $33.0 14%
MFG Durable $68,309 $33.0 12%
Biotechnology $67,089 $32.0 10%

How Education impacts an Animator/Illustrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Animator/Illustrator 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 Animator/Illustrator with a high school is between $57,246 and $61,482.

Animator/Illustrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Animator/Illustrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 9.1%
High School 13.6%
Associate's Degree 9.1%
Bachelor's Degree 50%
Master's Degree or MBA 18.2%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Animator/Illustrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Animator/Illustrator'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
$54,289
Average $60,990/year
$68,592
$4,524
Average $5,083/month
$5,716
$1,044
Average $1,173/week
$1,319
$26
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,592 $5,716 $1,319 $33
Average $60,990 $5,083 $1,173 $29
25th Percentile $54,289 $4,524 $1,044 $26

Most common benefits for Animator/Illustrator

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

Common company salaries for Animator/Illustrator

Here are companies hiring for Animator/Illustrator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Animator/Illustrator Job

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

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FAQ about Animator/Illustrator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Animator/Illustrator?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Animator/Illustrator roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

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