What Does an Animator Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does an animator do?

Special effects artists and animators create animation and visual effects for films, television, video games, advertising and other media. The median pay is $102,030 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus reel, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$102,030
$49.06/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.3%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
4,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4 years plus reel
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
51,900
Employment, 2025

What animators do

Animators create movement and magic. They design characters, model and rig 3D assets, animate performances, create visual effects such as explosions and water, and produce motion graphics for ads and apps. They work at studios, game companies, agencies and as freelancers.

Most animators have bachelor’s degrees in animation, art or computer graphics, but demo reels matter most. Software skills and artistic fundamentals are essential.

Typical duties

Create storyboards and concepts
Model and rig characters and objects
Animate characters and scenes
Create visual effects
Composite and render shots
Work with directors and teams
Revise work based on feedback

Work environment and schedule

Animators work in studios or remotely at computers, often on teams with tight production schedules.

Schedule: Most work full-time; crunch periods before deadlines can mean long hours.

A day in the life

9:30 AMAttend dailies and review feedback on shots.
10:30 AMBlock a character animation in Maya.
12:30 PMRefine timing and arcs.
2:00 PMSimulate smoke effects in Houdini.

See a full day in the life of an animator →

Animator salary

Half of animators earned more than $102,030 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $58,600 for the lowest 10% to $177,110 for the top 10%.

$58,60010th$102,030Median$177,11090th

Full animator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an animator

Learn art fundamentals
Study animation
Master software
Build a demo reel
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in animation, fine arts or computer graphics is typical. A strong demo reel is essential.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an animator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

3D animation
Modeling and rigging
Visual effects
Compositing
Drawing fundamentals

People skills

Creativity
Patience
Collaboration
Openness to feedback

All animator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Highly creative work
Work on films and games
Remote options
Strong pay for skilled artists

Cons

Competitive industry
Crunch time
Project-based employment
Frequent revisions

Certifications and licenses

Autodesk Certified Professional: Maya or 3ds Max certification.
Adobe Certified Professional in After Effects: Motion graphics certification.
Unreal Engine training: Real-time animation skills.
Demo reel: The key credential for animators.

Career path

Junior Animator: Animate shots.
Animator: Own sequences.
Senior or Lead Animator: Lead teams.
Animation Supervisor or Director: Lead projects.

Learn the job before day one

Our Animator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as animate a bouncing ball and block a character animation, safety and how to land your first job.

View Animator training Is this career right for me?

Graphic Designer

Create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands.

$62,960
4 years or portfolio-based training

Video Editor

Cut raw footage into compelling films, shows, ads and online videos.

$75,420
4 years or portfolio-based training

UX/UI Designer

Design apps and websites that are easy, useful and enjoyable to use.

$104,000
4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio

Art Director

Lead the visual style of ads, publications, products and productions.

$114,850
4 years plus 5+ years of experience

Compare: Animator vs. Graphic Designer · Animator vs. Video Editor · Animator vs. UX/UI Designer · Animator vs. Art Director

Animator FAQ

Do animators need a degree?

Usually, but reels matter most.

Can animators work remotely?

Many studios hire remotely.

Which software should I learn?

Maya and Blender for 3D; After Effects for motion graphics.

How much does an animator make?

The median annual wage for animators was $102,030 ($49.06 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $58,600 and the highest 10% earned more than $177,110.

How long does it take to become an animator?

Most people need about 4 years plus reel of training. A bachelor’s degree in animation, fine arts or computer graphics is typical. A strong demo reel is essential.

Do you need a degree to be an animator?

Usually, but not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, and studios hire mainly on demo reels, so some self-taught artists break in.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-1014 (Special effects artists and animators).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Special effects artists and animators (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Animator