| With the ever growing animated movie and | | | | lower salaries than those who pursue careers in |
| gaming industry, animators continue to be in high | | | | the gaming or movie industry. Also, career moves |
| demand. Multi media animators are those who | | | | impact annual earnings. Animator's who advance |
| have jobs animating for television, internet, | | | | into supervision or training will command more per |
| software or advertising. These animators typically | | | | year as they take on more responsibility. |
| have a lower beginning salary than those who | | | | This diverse and ever changing industry presents |
| work for the movie or gaming industry. As the | | | | challenges when trying to pinpoint exact salaries. |
| popularity of 3-D and animated movies increases, | | | | Many variables ultimately contribute to an |
| and as consumers crave more realistic gaming | | | | animator's lifetime income. The location and size of |
| options, animators in these fields can expect to | | | | an animator's employer has considerable influence |
| make more per annum than other animators. | | | | on salary. Animators employed with smaller, less |
| One factor that decides the beginning yearly | | | | known firms, will receive smaller salaries; while, |
| income of animators is education. Although there | | | | bigger firms will offer more competitive salaries |
| are jobs in animation that do not require a | | | | and benefits. Animators employed in bigger cities |
| degree, animators obtaining a bachelors degree in | | | | like Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Los |
| media or fine arts can anticipate a beginning salary | | | | Angeles will garner higher salaries than smaller |
| range of $29,000 to $50,000 per year. Animators | | | | cities. Animators employed in Washington D.C. |
| seeking careers in advertising and software | | | | enjoy the greatest per annum salary in the United |
| industry have beginning salaries on the lower end | | | | States. |
| of the pay scale: averaging close to $44,000 a | | | | Free lancing vs. secure employment also affects |
| year. Because animation careers in the movie, | | | | ultimate income. Animators, courageous enough to |
| video production, and gaming industry are more | | | | risk free lancing, will probably have limited income |
| sought after and competitive, animators fortunate | | | | in the early years; however, quite often, with |
| enough to find employment in these fields can | | | | hard work and credible references, free lancing |
| anticipate a beginning salary of approximately | | | | can generate more income than being employed |
| $66,000 a year. | | | | with a firm. Free lancing has become an |
| As with any career, longevity and experience only | | | | increasingly popular alternative with firms as |
| increases an animator's average salary. The | | | | animation becomes more specialized. |
| average yearly income of an animator with 5-10 | | | | As the face of animation continues to change and |
| years of experience ranges from $50,000 to | | | | jobs become more challenging, the animation |
| $79,000 annually. After 10 years, an animator's | | | | industry is expected to grow and be a continual |
| salary could climb as high as $80,000 or more per | | | | source of challenging and prosperous careers. As |
| year. Again, an animator's field of expertise will | | | | with any career, education, experience, credentials |
| affect annual pay increases. Animators who stay | | | | and continual personal growth, will only increase an |
| in internet, advertising, or television can expect | | | | animator's salary through out their career. |