Multimedia Artists and Animators

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that employment for special effects artists and animators (a category that includes multimedia artists and animators) will grow by 4 percent from 2023 through 2033 (or about as fast as the average for all careers). Demand for games, especially for use on mobile devices such as smartphones, continues to grow. Animators will also be needed in alternative areas such as scientific research and design services. Competition for jobs should be strong since many creative and technically savvy people want to work as artists and animators.

In recent years, employment growth has slowed as more companies offshore creative jobs to foreign countries where workers can be paid lower salaries than those earned by artists and animators in the United States. Additionally, the DOL says that "technological advancements may affect the role of special effects artists and animators. Some routine animation and special effects tasks produced by artificial intelligence may dampen demand for this occupation."