Also called: Character Animator, CG Animator
Brings 3D characters and creatures to life for films, games, and ads by animating their movement.
An animator spends days on a few seconds of footage, posing a character frame by frame so a jump feels heavy or a smile feels real. They film themselves acting out scenes for reference. Daily reviews with supervisors give feedback.
Based on BLS special effects artists and animators (27-1014), May 2024: median $99,800, 10th pct about $57k, 90th pct about $175k.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in animation; a demo reel matters most.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Animation, Computer Animation, Fine Arts.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). BLS projects slower-than-average growth, 2024-34.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI motion tools and mocap cleanup handle simple moves; expressive acting and timing for hero characters still need animators.
Classes: Digital art or animation CTE, Drama or acting, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1014.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.