How much does an Artist/Animator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artist/Animator in the United States is $94,816 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,202
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,688 to $102,346
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,289

Key Factors That Influence Artist/Animator Salaries

An Artist/Animator'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 Artist/Animator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Artist/Animator'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): $62,814
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,940
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $93,247
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,915
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,265
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Motion Graphic Design Specialist I less than 1 year $62,814
Motion Graphic Design Specialist II 1-2 years $76,940
Artist/Animator 2-4 years $93,247
Motion Graphic Design Specialist IV 5-8 years $127,915
Motion Graphic Design Specialist V over 8 years $155,265

Top Paying Cities for Artist/Animator

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: $119,591
  • San Francisco: $118,282
  • Oakland: $115,789

Artist/Animator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Artist/Animator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 62% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Artist/Animator positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Artist/Animator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Artist/Animator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom $115,675 $56.0 22%
Energy & Utilities $113,779 $55.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $113,779 $55.0 20%
Software & Networking $113,779 $55.0 20%
Healthcare $109,038 $52.0 15%

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

Understanding how an Artist/Animator'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
$86,688
Average $94,816/year
$102,346
$7,224
Average $7,901/month
$8,529
$1,667
Average $1,823/week
$1,968
$42
Average $46/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,346 $8,529 $1,968 $49
Average $94,816 $7,901 $1,823 $46
25th Percentile $86,688 $7,224 $1,667 $42

Most common benefits for Artist/Animator

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

Common company salaries for Artist/Animator

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

Find Your Next Artist/Animator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Artist/Animator 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

    4 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

    4 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

    4 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

    5 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

    5 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Artist/Animator

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

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Artist/Animator roles, with salaries approximately 22% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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