Also called: Motion Designer, Animator (motion graphics)
Makes graphics move: animated titles, logo reveals, explainer videos, sports broadcast graphics, and app animations.
Working in After Effects or Cinema 4D, they might animate the score bug for a sports broadcast or a 30-second product explainer. They time animations to music and voiceover and render many versions. Deadlines can be tight, especially for TV and live events.
Estimate between graphic designers and special effects artists/animators (May 2024 median $99,800).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in motion design, animation, or graphic design; many self-teach with online courses.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, 2-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Motion Design, Animation, Graphic Design, Film.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Video content demand is high, but AI is changing workflows.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI video tools now automate simple animations and templates; complex brand, broadcast and title work still needs designers.
Classes: Video production CTE, AP Computer Science Principles, Digital art.
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.