How Much Does an Animator Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$102,030
Animators in the U.S. earn a median of $102,030 a year, or $49.06 an hour. Half of animators earn more than $102,030 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $177,110.
Pay percentiles for animators
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28.17 | $58,600 |
| 25th | $36.29 | $75,490 |
| 50th (median) | $49.06 | $102,030 |
| 75th | $66.89 | $139,130 |
| 90th | $85.15 | $177,110 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Special Effects Artists and Animators (SOC 27-1014). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for animators
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $133,480 | $64.17 | +31% |
| California | $130,540 | $62.76 | +28% |
| Nevada | $97,350 | $46.80 | −5% |
| New York | $96,770 | $46.52 | −5% |
| Colorado | $91,290 | $43.89 | −11% |
| Arizona | $89,650 | $43.10 | −12% |
| North Carolina | $88,350 | $42.48 | −13% |
| Utah | $88,210 | $42.41 | −14% |
| Michigan | $86,630 | $41.65 | −15% |
| Florida | $85,870 | $41.29 | −16% |
| United States | $102,030 | $49.06 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many animators are there?
BLS counts about 19,970 animators employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Special Effects Artists and Animators”. The most jobs are in California (7,410), New York (1,540) and Florida (1,530).
The mean (average) annual wage is $112,870, higher than the median of $102,030.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,503
- Biweekly
- $3,924
- Weekly
- $1,962
- Daily (8 hours)
- $392
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do animators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for animators is $49.06. The middle 50% earn between $36.29 and $66.89 an hour.
Which state pays animators the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for animators at $133,480, +31% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for animators?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of animators earn less than $58,600 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.