What Skills Should Animators Have?
Learn the Skills You Need to Become an Animator
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Video Editing
Video editing is most commonly the use of digital software to manipulate and organize video and sound files into a final deliverable. Video Editors use software like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Filmora, and others to create videos that compel, convert, inform, or tell a story.
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After Effects
After Effects is a computer software application developed by Adobe used to create visual effects and motion graphics. After Effects is used in the process of creating films, video games, television series, and other videos. It is most commonly used for keying, tracking, compositing, and animation.
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Animation
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Motion Graphics
Motion graphics are pieces of digital footage or animation that create the illusion of motion. They are usually combined with audio and used in multimedia projects. Adobe After Effects is the most popular motion graphics software.
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Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is a 3D software suite created by Maxon. It is used for 3D modeling, animation, nad rendering in motion graphics, modeling, and texturing. It is most commonly used by small teams and solo artists.
Animator Salaries
An Animator in the United States makes, on average, $47,744 annually, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries for Animators vary by region within the the United States. Listed below are some Animator salaries for specific areas with the United States compared with the average national salary:
- U.S. Average $47K source n/a
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Washington, D.C.
$100K
source
+110.85%
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Los Angeles, CA
$83K
source
+75.61%
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Dallas, TX
$83K
source
+74.43%
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New York City
$80K
source
+67.83%
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Orange County, CA
$72K
source
+52.52%
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Fairfax, VA
$56K
source
+19.06%
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Miami, FL
$50K
source
+5.37%
- U.S. Average $47K source n/a
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Chicago, IL
$34K
source
-26.78%
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Alexandria, VA
$27K
source
-41.5%
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Houston, TX
$23K
source
-49.91%
Additional Animator Resources
- Animator Job Description
- Best Cities for Animators
- Is Animation Right For Me?
- What Degree Do You Need to Become an Animator?
- Animator Career Path
- Animator Certifications
- How to Become an Animator Without a Degree in 2024
- How to Become a Freelance Animator in 2024
- Animator Job Search Tips & Best Practices
- Animator Job Outlook
- What Classes to Take to Become an Animator
- How to Become an Animator At Home