Animator Salary Overview
The Animator is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $82,600. Compensation typically ranges from $42,400 for entry-level positions to $142,800 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Animator in the US earns between $42,400 and $142,800 per year, with a median of $82,600.
Animator Salary by Experience
Entry-level animators earn around $53,690, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $111,510 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $49,560 | $24/hr | $40,596 |
| Mid | $82,600 | $40/hr | $62,676 |
| Senior | $104,076 | $50/hr | $75,787 |
| Lead | $128,856 | $62/hr | $90,705 |
Animator Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Animator in each US state.
Pay for animators varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,965 | $6,319 | $62,530 | 24.3% |
| Alaska | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| Arizona | $82,600 | $9,786 | $1,700 | $6,319 | $64,795 | 21.6% |
| Arkansas | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,408 | $6,319 | $63,087 | 23.6% |
| California | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,819 | $6,319 | $62,676 | 24.1% |
| Colorado | $82,600 | $9,786 | $2,974 | $6,319 | $63,521 | 23.1% |
| Connecticut | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,793 | $6,319 | $62,702 | 24.1% |
| Delaware | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,221 | $6,319 | $62,274 | 24.6% |
| District of Columbia | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,180 | $6,319 | $62,315 | 24.6% |
| Florida | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| Georgia | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,876 | $6,319 | $62,619 | 24.2% |
| Hawaii | $82,600 | $9,786 | $5,887 | $6,319 | $60,608 | 26.6% |
| Idaho | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,944 | $6,319 | $62,551 | 24.3% |
| Illinois | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,951 | $6,319 | $62,544 | 24.3% |
| Indiana | $82,600 | $9,786 | $2,519 | $6,319 | $63,976 | 22.5% |
| Iowa | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,139 | $6,319 | $63,356 | 23.3% |
| Kansas | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,051 | $6,319 | $62,444 | 24.4% |
| Kentucky | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,178 | $6,319 | $63,318 | 23.3% |
| Louisiana | $82,600 | $9,786 | $2,929 | $6,319 | $63,566 | 23.0% |
| Maine | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,368 | $6,319 | $62,127 | 24.8% |
| Maryland | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,750 | $6,319 | $62,745 | 24.0% |
| Massachusetts | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,910 | $6,319 | $62,585 | 24.2% |
| Michigan | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,272 | $6,319 | $63,223 | 23.5% |
| Minnesota | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,166 | $6,319 | $62,329 | 24.5% |
| Mississippi | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,304 | $6,319 | $63,191 | 23.5% |
| Missouri | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,094 | $6,319 | $63,401 | 23.2% |
| Montana | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,766 | $6,319 | $62,729 | 24.1% |
| Nebraska | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,303 | $6,319 | $63,192 | 23.5% |
| Nevada | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| New Hampshire | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| New Jersey | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,135 | $6,319 | $63,360 | 23.3% |
| New Mexico | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,052 | $6,319 | $63,443 | 23.2% |
| New York | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,150 | $6,319 | $62,345 | 24.5% |
| North Carolina | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,143 | $6,319 | $63,352 | 23.3% |
| North Dakota | $82,600 | $9,786 | $1,326 | $6,319 | $65,169 | 21.1% |
| Ohio | $82,600 | $9,786 | $1,552 | $6,319 | $64,943 | 21.4% |
| Oklahoma | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,433 | $6,319 | $63,062 | 23.7% |
| Oregon | $82,600 | $9,786 | $6,702 | $6,319 | $59,793 | 27.6% |
| Pennsylvania | $82,600 | $9,786 | $2,536 | $6,319 | $63,959 | 22.6% |
| Rhode Island | $82,600 | $9,786 | $2,702 | $6,319 | $63,793 | 22.8% |
| South Carolina | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,659 | $6,319 | $62,836 | 23.9% |
| South Dakota | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| Tennessee | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| Texas | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| Utah | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,841 | $6,319 | $62,654 | 24.1% |
| Vermont | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,511 | $6,319 | $62,984 | 23.7% |
| Virginia | $82,600 | $9,786 | $4,233 | $6,319 | $62,262 | 24.6% |
| Washington | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
| West Virginia | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,341 | $6,319 | $63,154 | 23.5% |
| Wisconsin | $82,600 | $9,786 | $3,290 | $6,319 | $63,205 | 23.5% |
| Wyoming | $82,600 | $9,786 | $0 | $6,319 | $66,495 | 19.5% |
Top Cities for Animator Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for animators tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $90,860 |
| San Francisco, CA | $90,860 |
| New York, NY | $90,860 |
| Seattle, WA | $90,860 |
| Portland, OR | $90,860 |
Calculate Animator Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Animator
Becoming a animator typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Animator Career Outlook
Employment of animators is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Animator Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for animators in the US is $82,600, with a typical range from $42,400 to $142,800 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for animators include CA, NY, WA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level animators can expect to earn around $53,690 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a animator can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for animators is approximately $39.71, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.