Also called: Character Animator, CG Animator
Brings digital characters to life by creating their movements, acting, and expressions frame by frame.
A 3D animator might spend a week on four seconds of a character tripping and catching themselves, acting it out in front of a mirror, then posing the character's body and face in software until the timing feels funny and real.
BLS special effects artists and animators median ~$99.8k (May 2024). Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) studio jobs pay well; freelance, game, and small-studio work pays less, and layoffs are common.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Animation degree (e.g., CalArts, Ringling, SCAD) or intense self-study; a demo reel matters most.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Animation, Fine Arts, Game Design.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). BLS projects 2% growth (2024-34) for special effects artists and animators.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI motion and mocap tools generate basic movement, squeezing junior roles; strong character acting and timing still need animators.
Classes: Art, Theater (acting), Physics (motion), Computer science.
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.