According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), special effects artists and animators earned median annual salaries of $99,060 in May 2023. Salaries ranged from less than $57,090 to $169,580 or more. The DOL reports the following median annual earnings for special effects artists and animators by the top five employers: software publishers, $123,480; motion picture and video industries, $124.520; computer systems design and related services, $87,550; specialized design services, $87,520; and amusement parks and arcades, $68,650. In June 2024, Glassdoor reported the average salary for animators employed in the United States was $77,000.
Self-employed animators do not receive fringe benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, health insurance, or pension benefits. Those who are salaried employees of companies and the like do typically receive these fringe benefits.
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