Job Description

Animators work primarily in motion picture and video industries, advertising, and computer systems design services. They draw by hand and use computers to create the series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs, and computer games. Storyboards also serve as guides to placing actors and cameras on the television or motion picture set and to other production details. Many multi-media artists model objects in three dimensions by computer and work with programmers to make those images move.

Median Annual Salary

$56,000

The middle 50 percent earned between $41,710 and $77,010.

Educational Requirements

Animation requires a bachelor’s degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design. Although formal schooling is not strictly required, it is useful to learn the required software that so heavily dominates the industry today.

Job Outlook

Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing demand for Web site development and for computer graphics adaptation from the growing number of mobile technologies. Animators are also increasingly finding work in alternative areas such as scientific research or design services.