Animator Job Outlook

If you’re interested in exploring careers in animation, you may wonder if this is a viable professional path with a promising job outlook. The good news is that the job outlook in the US for animation careers remains strong and is expected to continue to grow over the next decade. With the increasing demand for qualified Animators in fields like film, TV, and video game design, ample career opportunities are available to those who have training and a creative eye. Read on to learn more about some of the factors that affect job outlook in this field, including salary rates and figure growth potential, as well as how to find animation jobs that would be a good match for you.

What is an Animator?

Animators bring characters, objects, and scenes to life by placing images in a sequence that suggests movement. They may use hand-drawn or computer-generated images or a combination of both. Animators are often involved in the full scope of a project, from developing new concepts to designing characters and backgrounds and outlining the animation sequence in storyboards. They begin an animation sequence by creating keyframes and the main points of movement, then develop the in-between frames that ensure smooth motion. 

Animators usually report to a Creative Director or Animation Director and might also work closely with writers, other artists, and technical staff. On larger projects, Animators may be part of a team assigned specific roles, such as Character Animation, Background Animation, or Special Effects Animator. Animation is often used in movies, television shows, video games, websites, and other media. In the games industry, animators are known as Computer Graphics (CG) or 3D Animators and may collaborate with programmers and artists. In the animation industry, Animators work from a brief provided by the Director or Animation Director and a storyboard developed by the Storyboard Artist. A Special Effects Supervisor, known as an SFX Supervisor, is usually in charge of the special effects team on a film or television production.

The working environment for Animators can vary greatly, depending on their place of employment and current project. Some Animators work in studios as part of a larger team and collaborate closely with other artists and designers. The team-based environment can be fast-paced, with many brainstorming sessions and group meetings. Freelance Animators work more independently and manage their own schedules and client communications. Being an Animator requires a mix of creativity, technical skills, and attention to detail. Animators need to keep up with the latest animation software and techniques, and they must be able to adapt their style to fit different projects. 

What is the Job Outlook for Animation?

The following sections will take a closer look at some of the contributing factors that affect job outlook in animation, based on industry, salary rates, and potential for future growth.

Job Outlook

Fortunately, the job prospects for Animators in the US are strong, and the job outlook for Animators is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade. From 2022-2032, Animators and Special Effects Artists job openings are projected to grow by 8%, which is ahead of the pace expected for other occupations. During this decade, more than 9,000 job openings are anticipated every year. 

The demand for skilled Animators is especially strong in the video game, film, and advertising industries. With the rising popularity of streaming services and the steady demand for video games, there’s an ongoing need for fresh content. Plus, more businesses are using Animators in their marketing and educational content, which contributes to the popularity of this professional track. 

Future Growth

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest career growth industries for Animators over the next ten years will be in TV, movies, and video games. As more individuals turn to mobile devices and tablets for playing games and watching movies and TV, the demand for Animators is expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future. In 2023, 227 million Americans played video games. Of those individuals, 57% of games purchased were for social networking games, mobile apps, and digital content. Now is an excellent time for aspiring Animators to consider breaking into this field since employment opportunities are continuously opening in different professional arenas to meet the increasing demand for compelling visual content.

Industries

Long gone are the days when animation was only needed for TV cartoons or motion pictures. Now, animation is an in-demand skill across many industries, from video game design to education. Today, Animators are hired to work with special effects, web animation, video game production, advertising, and elearning. Animators can also explore exciting career options in less conventional fields, such as mathematical animation or medical animation. Some of these professionals may also wish to put their skills to use as VFX Artists, Illustrators, or Game Developers. 

One of the most common industries in which animation skills are used is marketing. On a daily basis, consumers are exposed to thousands of marketing messages. In this field, it’s a constant challenge to stand out from the competition and present new messages that will connect with audience members. Animation is an essential tool to help brands be recognized and distinguish themselves from other competing brands. It’s also popular in advertising and marketing because this form of art has universal appeal and costs less to create than other marking content. 

Another prevalent industry where animation skills are currently in demand is web design. Those who use their animation training in this sector create engaging content for websites. As technology continues to evolve, websites are moving further away from static text blocks that bore readers and progressing into new, engaging ways to appeal visually to visitors. With the help of animation and motion graphics, most websites are evolving to incorporate visual elements intended to attract and retain customers and boost traffic.

Salary

Animators in the US earn an average yearly salary of $89,000. Within this field, Software Publishers are the highest-paying industry for Animators, with an average yearly salary of $110,000. Salaries for animation jobs vary widely depending on where you live; pay may be as high as $127,000 per year in Portland, Oregon, or start at only $36,000 annually in Charleston, South Carolina. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, which are home to many major film and animation studios, Animators often command very competitive salaries. Strong tech markets like San Francisco and Seattle also offer competitive pay for Animators working in video games or tech industries. 

In addition to physical location, experience is a huge contributing factor to pay rates in animation. According to Glassdoor, 3D Animators who have one year or less experience make approximately $60,000-$65,000. Indeed.com places this average rate closer to $76,000-$86,000 yearly. Those who have several years of experience can expect a pay bump to around $75,000 annually, according to Glassdoor. This means that no matter where you live, your experience is a contributing factor to your expected salary in animation.

How Do I Find an Animator Job?

It may feel challenging initially to begin the job search for animation careers, especially considering how many entry-level positions are available for those with animation training. When searching for a job in this field, there are several useful tips that can help you streamline the process:

• The job opening you're considering should match your level of experience and your interests. While this may seem obvious, since most job openings today are listed on aggregate sites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor, it’s essential to check the job requirements to ensure the search terms you’re using will help you find a job that fits your needs. It’s also important to check the date the job was posted to ensure it’s not too late to be in the running for the position. 
• After selecting one or more job options, the next step is to begin putting together the necessary materials to apply for the position. This usually includes a strong resume and well-written cover letter, a professional portfolio that includes your most impressive animation projects, and an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. Of these items, the portfolio component is usually the most essential of the materials that will be considered since it shows prospective employers what skills you can bring to the role and the sorts of projects you’ve used these skills to complete.
• Once you secure an interview, you will want to prepare for it. This includes researching the studio or firm where you’ll be interviewing to learn about their professional culture and mission. It also means being prepared to talk about your educational and work background and answer specific questions about how you’ll contribute to their studio if employed. 

Learn the Skills to Become an Animator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has several exciting educational opportunities available for aspiring Animators at all levels. In Noble’s Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate, participants receive comprehensive hands-on training designed to prepare them to pursue a career in motion graphics or video editing. Instruction is provided on core Adobe apps like Cinema 4D Lite, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Audition. All participants in this program create a professional demo reel that can be shared with prospective employers. This certificate program includes eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. Financing options are available.

Those who want to take their motion graphics skills to the next level can do so in Noble’s Motion Graphics Certificate. This intensive program teaches students to create visual effects and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects. Participants study how to make 3D animations using Cinema 4D Lite. Instruction is provided on how to edit videos with Adobe Premiere Pro. This certificate program teaches students how to develop a project from concept into design and ultimately to fully animated graphics. Graduates of this course leave with a demo reel of motion graphics projects that can be shared with future employers to highlight their skills. Five 1-on-1 mentoring sessions are provided as part of this program.

For those who want to focus their training on a specific Adobe application, Noble offers After Effects Bootcamp. This hands-on program takes students from the basics of animation, such as how to navigate the workplace, up to advanced techniques, including green screen removal and motion tracking. An expert instructor with real-world animation experience teaches this project-based course. Tuition includes a bonus 1-on-1 mentoring session that can be used to drill down on difficult bootcamp concepts or for professional development purposes.

All Noble courses include a free course retake for up to one year. Instruction is provided in person in New York City and live online.