Computer animation is a growing field that has many career possibilities. If you are wondering how to become an animator, there are now many ways to get the training you need to succeed in this profession.
There are many types of jobs in the computer animation field, so salaries in animation will vary according to the industry you're in, as well as your level of skill and experience.
However, it's safe to say that this is a growing field with many opportunities for expansion, so salaries are likely to rise. With the proliferation of video and new media, animation and other digital media skills are more needed now than ever before.
In general, the average salary for computer animators and multi-media artists is around $44,000. As with any career, you can expect to earn less when you starting out, and more as you gain in experience.
However, there are some jobs that have a significantly higher salary, especially those in the movie industry, where the average salary is 66,000. Of course, these are the most competitive jobs in the computer animation field, and not easy to get.
However, if that's your goal, there are degree programs that are specifically geared to this kind of work. Working on videos or even feature films is one of the most glamorous jobs imaginable.
Another, especially fast-growing career in this field is video game animation. Salaries in this specialty are not quite as high as in the movie industry. For those with the average salary for those with three years of experience or less being around $46,000. But for those who have over six years of experience, this jumps to $75,000. Experience in a rapidly changing technological world is extremely valuable, so even a year or two can make a big difference in what you can earn.
When it comes to video games, you might also consider how popular these are. People all over the world are literally addicted to playing computer games, and they are always seeking new thrills. Much of the appeal of these games is visual, so as an animator, you are literally creating the worlds (even if they are imaginary) where millions of people spend much of their free time. It's likely that the demand, and the salaries, for video game animators will continue to grow in the coming years.
Internet advertising is another realm where computer animation is really taking off. As companies struggle to find new ways to capture the ever-shortening attention spans of net surfers, the need for creative advertising is skyrocketing. Animated flash presentations are already a big part of this. You could get a job creating ads, or you could design them on a freelance basis. In both cases, how much you earn would vary a great deal, depending on your skills and reputation. But there's little doubt that someone who can design effective and eye-capturing ads on the internet can command a good salary.
Salaries in animation, like in many industries, vary a great deal. However, the future for this still looks bright, even in difficult economic times, as people's fascinating with new technology appears to be limitless.
