ConsultaPedia Logo

Associate Degree Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.

An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs External Link
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 484 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers / (38.99%) / ($219,140)
Computer and Information Systems Managers / (35.15%) / ($169,510)
Clinical Research Coordinators / (33.77%) / ($157,740)
Air Traffic Controllers / (78.05%) / ($137,380)
Purchasing Managers / (36.84%) / ($136,380)
Loss Prevention Managers / (40.91%) / ($133,560)
Wind Energy Operations Managers / (65.24%) / ($133,560)
Computer Network Architects / (35.00%) / ($129,840)
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators / (84.67%) / ($120,350)
Industrial Production Managers / (70.50%) / ($116,970)
Geothermal Production Managers / (80.39%) / ($116,970)
Biofuels Production Managers / (47.96%) / ($116,970)
Biomass Power Plant Managers / (38.51%) / ($116,970)
Hydroelectric Production Managers / (77.90%) / ($116,970)
Commercial Pilots / (98.19%) / ($113,080)
Mechatronics Engineers / (32.67%) / ($111,970)
Solar Energy Systems Engineers / (40.74%) / ($111,970)
Administrative Services Managers / (71.74%) / ($106,470)
Web Administrators / (40.00%) / ($104,920)
Information Security Engineers / (47.37%) / ($104,920)
Blockchain Engineers / (37.50%) / ($104,920)
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects / (72.73%) / ($104,920)
Information Technology Project Managers / (33.33%) / ($104,920)
Construction Managers / (55.00%) / ($104,900)
Power Distributors and Dispatchers / (94.36%) / ($104,750)
Computer Systems Analysts / (56.64%) / ($103,800)
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers / (99.66%) / ($102,420)
Facilities Managers / (92.59%) / ($102,340)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / (47.05%) / ($101,800)
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives / (80.58%) / ($101,750)
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians / (84.15%) / ($101,740)
General and Operations Managers / (72.41%) / ($101,280)
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects / (36.84%) / ($100,270)
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products / (58.63%) / ($99,710)
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors / (67.01%) / ($99,710)
Mechanical Engineers / (47.22%) / ($99,510)
Special Effects Artists and Animators / (46.91%) / ($99,060)
Video Game Designers / (45.00%) / ($98,540)
Radiation Therapists / (62.46%) / ($98,300)
Power Plant Operators / (87.46%) / ($97,010)
Biomass Plant Technicians / (90.28%) / ($97,010)
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians / (93.13%) / ($97,010)
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay / (97.61%) / ($96,600)
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers / (100.00%) / ($94,580)
Ship Engineers / (81.03%) / ($94,270)
Nuclear Medicine Technologists / (68.68%) / ($92,500)
Police Identification and Records Officers / (75.14%) / ($91,100)
Labor Relations Specialists / (33.32%) / ($89,980)
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels / (90.68%) / ($88,730)
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents / (86.55%) / ($88,670)
Dental Hygienists / (75.18%) / ($87,530)
Aviation Inspectors / (96.07%) / ($87,290)
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation / (100.00%) / ($87,290)
Registered Nurses / (42.65%) / ($86,070)
Critical Care Nurses / (35.71%) / ($86,070)
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers / (97.19%) / ($85,420)
Web Developers / (50.01%) / ($84,960)
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes / (41.87%) / ($84,900)
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / (42.07%) / ($84,570)
Subway and Streetcar Operators / (100.00%) / ($84,270)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists / (86.96%) / ($83,740)
Signal and Track Switch Repairers / (100.00%) / ($82,710)
Gas Plant Operators / (100.00%) / ($82,560)
Producers and Directors / (43.30%) / ($82,510)
Media Programming Directors / (48.00%) / ($82,510)
Talent Directors / (30.75%) / ($82,510)
Gambling Managers / (93.26%) / ($82,380)
Technical Writers / (58.04%) / ($80,050)
Online Merchants / (58.72%) / ($79,590)
Fashion Designers / (49.34%) / ($79,290)
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment / (85.65%) / ($79,160)
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians / (92.08%) / ($77,830)
Avionics Technicians / (96.67%) / ($77,420)
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents / (34.85%) / ($76,900)
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers / (89.50%) / ($76,760)
Solar Energy Installation Managers / (93.70%) / ($76,760)
Commercial and Industrial Designers / (32.08%) / ($76,250)
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / (57.51%) / ($76,210)
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers / (90.39%) / ($75,820)
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / (60.66%) / ($75,670)
Coroners / (40.00%) / ($75,670)
Funeral Home Managers / (93.51%) / ($75,660)
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators / (39.64%) / ($75,050)
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians / (99.37%) / ($75,020)
Search Marketing Strategists / (52.18%) / ($74,680)
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage / (98.53%) / ($74,520)
Fire Inspectors and Investigators / (95.76%) / ($74,160)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers / (50.00%) / ($73,690)
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists / (90.91%) / ($73,500)
Photonics Technicians / (81.82%) / ($73,500)
Customs and Border Protection Officers / (70.66%) / ($72,280)
Transit and Railroad Police / (65.67%) / ($72,250)
Wellhead Pumpers / (100.00%) / ($71,830)
Computer Network Support Specialists / (49.70%) / ($71,530)
Boilermakers / (100.01%) / ($71,140)
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters / (100.00%) / ($71,130)
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers / (89.30%) / ($70,530)
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants / (80.15%) / ($70,310)
Athletes and Sports Competitors / (75.54%) / ($70,280)
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door / (98.56%) / ($70,100)
Loan Officers / (30.14%) / ($69,990)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters / (57.47%) / ($69,260)
Surveyors / (52.63%) / ($68,540)
Flight Attendants / (87.65%) / ($68,370)
Construction and Building Inspectors / (80.00%) / ($67,700)
Energy Auditors / (75.86%) / ($67,700)
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators / (100.00%) / ($67,640)
Occupational Therapy Assistants / (96.81%) / ($67,010)
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment / (100.00%) / ($66,680)
Roof Bolters, Mining / (100.00%) / ($66,660)
Film and Video Editors / (34.31%) / ($66,600)
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians / (93.42%) / ($66,170)
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers / (87.18%) / ($65,930)
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / (66.12%) / ($65,630)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / (32.71%) / ($65,130)
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians / (79.71%) / ($65,080)
Robotics Technicians / (77.27%) / ($65,080)
Rail Car Repairers / (99.99%) / ($65,030)
Forensic Science Technicians / (65.60%) / ($64,940)
Crane and Tower Operators / (100.00%) / ($64,690)
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic / (99.17%) / ($64,190)
Physical Therapist Assistants / (84.16%) / ($64,080)
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining / (100.00%) / ($64,070)
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians / (63.49%) / ($64,020)
Automotive Engineering Technicians / (59.25%) / ($64,020)
Midwives / (41.58%) / ($63,630)
Pile Driver Operators / (100.01%) / ($63,550)
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers / (53.45%) / ($63,450)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers / (98.14%) / ($63,440)
Food Service Managers / (90.26%) / ($63,060)
Millwrights / (100.00%) / ($62,980)
Health Education Specialists / (64.77%) / ($62,860)
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers / (73.63%) / ($62,510)
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic / (100.01%) / ($62,270)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary / (67.55%) / ($62,060)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines / (100.01%) / ($61,900)
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators / (100.00%) / ($61,870)
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film / (93.10%) / ($61,800)
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas / (91.08%) / ($61,770)
Wind Turbine Service Technicians / (100.01%) / ($61,770)
Electricians / (98.70%) / ($61,590)
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters / (100.00%) / ($61,590)
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / (100.01%) / ($61,550)
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians / (77.54%) / ($61,550)
Tool and Die Makers / (100.00%) / ($61,490)
Continuous Mining Machine Operators / (100.00%) / ($61,420)
Industrial Machinery Mechanics / (100.01%) / ($61,420)
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers / (90.24%) / ($61,310)
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers / (84.35%) / ($61,240)
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers / (93.54%) / ($61,210)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants / (43.47%) / ($60,970)
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians / (81.66%) / ($60,700)
Medical Equipment Repairers / (99.99%) / ($60,670)
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity / (99.99%) / ($60,170)
Brokerage Clerks / (61.77%) / ($60,150)
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses / (88.91%) / ($59,730)
Brickmasons and Blockmasons / (99.99%) / ($59,640)
Postal Service Clerks / (100.00%) / ($59,570)
Sound Engineering Technicians / (72.00%) / ($59,430)
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / (64.62%) / ($59,300)
Computer User Support Specialists / (48.31%) / ($59,240)
Insurance Sales Agents / (53.10%) / ($59,080)
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists / (99.99%) / ($58,970)
Chefs and Head Cooks / (91.67%) / ($58,920)
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors / (81.54%) / ($58,920)
Sheet Metal Workers / (100.01%) / ($58,780)
Hearing Aid Specialists / (43.26%) / ($58,670)
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders / (98.23%) / ($58,620)
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / (62.46%) / ($58,530)
Quality Control Analysts / (72.10%) / ($58,350)
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas / (99.99%) / ($58,210)
Watch and Clock Repairers / (98.31%) / ($58,140)
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians / (42.85%) / ($57,920)
Maintenance Workers, Machinery / (97.42%) / ($57,350)
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers / (65.10%) / ($57,320)
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers / (100.00%) / ($57,070)
Biofuels Processing Technicians / (100.00%) / ($56,940)
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners / (59.20%) / ($56,920)
Chemical Technicians / (56.26%) / ($56,750)
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas / (99.99%) / ($56,660)
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers / (100.00%) / ($56,430)
Carpenters / (100.00%) / ($56,350)
Postal Service Mail Carriers / (100.00%) / ($56,330)
Riggers / (100.00%) / ($56,220)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators / (100.00%) / ($56,160)
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas / (100.00%) / ($55,750)
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers / (61.33%) / ($55,740)
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers / (95.18%) / ($55,700)
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators / (100.00%) / ($54,890)
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers / (82.35%) / ($54,690)
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers / (88.58%) / ($54,580)
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers / (99.99%) / ($54,320)
Embalmers / (86.37%) / ($54,090)
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists / (75.97%) / ($54,080)
Tire Builders / (99.47%) / ($54,080)
Insulation Workers, Mechanical / (100.01%) / ($53,920)
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks / (100.01%) / ($53,900)
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers / (82.43%) / ($53,550)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators / (100.01%) / ($53,440)
Correctional Officers and Jailers / (100.00%) / ($53,300)
Bailiffs / (99.99%) / ($53,040)
Plasterers and Stucco Masons / (100.00%) / ($52,640)
Costume Attendants / (68.86%) / ($52,370)
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks / (68.16%) / ($52,240)
Traffic Technicians / (88.33%) / ($52,240)
Choreographers / (76.18%) / ($52,000)
Forest and Conservation Technicians / (85.19%) / ($51,880)
Stonemasons / (100.00%) / ($51,830)
Audio and Video Technicians / (57.32%) / ($51,640)
Biological Technicians / (31.37%) / ($51,430)
Desktop Publishers / (61.30%) / ($51,290)
Airfield Operations Specialists / (49.14%) / ($51,140)
Glaziers / (100.01%) / ($51,100)
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers / (88.76%) / ($51,030)
Machinists / (100.00%) / ($50,840)
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers / (99.99%) / ($50,720)
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants / (93.00%) / ($50,680)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / (31.83%) / ($50,660)
Dredge Operators / (100.00%) / ($50,440)
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs / (68.62%) / ($50,270)
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers / (92.80%) / ($50,270)
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($50,250)
Directors, Religious Activities and Education / (36.68%) / ($50,140)
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining / (100.00%) / ($50,050)
Transportation Security Screeners / (100.00%) / ($50,020)
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians / (100.00%) / ($49,990)
Private Detectives and Investigators / (57.84%) / ($49,540)
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers / (100.01%) / ($49,230)
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians / (100.00%) / ($49,210)
Bridge and Lock Tenders / (100.00%) / ($49,120)
Food Science Technicians / (52.50%) / ($49,090)
Tree Trimmers and Pruners / (100.00%) / ($49,070)
Tax Preparers / (76.20%) / ($49,010)
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators / (100.00%) / ($48,980)
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers / (99.05%) / ($48,940)
Tile and Stone Setters / (100.00%) / ($48,910)
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers / (100.01%) / ($48,900)
Public Safety Telecommunicators / (95.26%) / ($48,890)
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles / (99.99%) / ($48,840)
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters / (95.84%) / ($48,840)
Solar Photovoltaic Installers / (84.97%) / ($48,800)
Proofreaders and Copy Markers / (52.69%) / ($48,790)
Automotive Body and Related Repairers / (99.99%) / ($48,740)
Pourers and Casters, Metal / (100.00%) / ($48,690)
Patternmakers, Wood / (100.00%) / ($48,630)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators / (96.78%) / ($48,550)
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters / (100.00%) / ($48,480)
Paperhangers / (100.00%) / ($48,460)
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons / (100.00%) / ($48,410)
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers / (94.78%) / ($48,380)
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers / (92.30%) / ($48,380)
Cargo and Freight Agents / (69.25%) / ($48,330)
Freight Forwarders / (41.92%) / ($48,330)
Logging Equipment Operators / (100.00%) / ($48,240)
Agricultural Inspectors / (87.88%) / ($48,010)
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians / (100.00%) / ($47,950)
Floor Sanders and Finishers / (100.00%) / ($47,760)
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / (65.40%) / ($47,710)
Painters, Construction and Maintenance / (98.15%) / ($47,700)
Dental Laboratory Technicians / (92.45%) / ($47,690)
Animal Breeders / (95.94%) / ($47,540)
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall / (100.00%) / ($47,540)
Carpet Installers / (100.00%) / ($47,520)
Neurodiagnostic Technologists / (83.87%) / ($47,470)
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists / (75.00%) / ($47,470)
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers / (84.34%) / ($47,450)
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks / (81.29%) / ($47,440)
Models / (96.06%) / ($47,430)
Travel Agents / (85.65%) / ($47,410)
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance / (85.70%) / ($47,390)
Loan Interviewers and Clerks / (61.75%) / ($47,380)
Highway Maintenance Workers / (100.00%) / ($47,360)
Pipelayers / (100.00%) / ($47,330)
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.01%) / ($47,250)
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (81.16%) / ($47,200)
Home Appliance Repairers / (100.01%) / ($47,170)
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (90.27%) / ($47,110)
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (100.00%) / ($47,040)
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners / (99.99%) / ($46,910)
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks / (93.41%) / ($46,900)
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance / (92.98%) / ($46,860)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers / (92.91%) / ($46,850)
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers / (99.58%) / ($46,730)
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General / (98.46%) / ($46,700)
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers / (89.61%) / ($46,690)
Procurement Clerks / (67.27%) / ($46,670)
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers / (87.75%) / ($46,650)
Dental Assistants / (100.00%) / ($46,540)
Rock Splitters, Quarry / (81.02%) / ($46,530)
Geothermal Technicians / (100.00%) / ($46,500)
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors / (61.91%) / ($46,480)
Motorboat Operators / (85.14%) / ($46,420)
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas / (100.00%) / ($46,340)
Motorcycle Mechanics / (89.26%) / ($46,270)
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($46,100)
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers / (100.00%) / ($45,850)
Semiconductor Processing Technicians / (99.68%) / ($45,850)
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors / (100.00%) / ($45,760)
Bus Drivers, School / (100.00%) / ($45,660)
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders / (98.16%) / ($45,640)
Log Graders and Scalers / (100.00%) / ($45,600)
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles / (100.00%) / ($45,570)
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($45,560)
Helpers--Extraction Workers / (100.01%) / ($45,520)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($45,350)
Self-Enrichment Teachers / (45.76%) / ($45,330)
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers / (99.99%) / ($45,320)
Construction Laborers / (100.00%) / ($45,300)
Medical Equipment Preparers / (82.92%) / ($45,280)
Prepress Technicians and Workers / (94.79%) / ($45,070)
Model Makers, Wood / (85.67%) / ($45,040)
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers / (100.00%) / ($44,980)
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / (59.63%) / ($44,890)
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers / (99.99%) / ($44,890)
New Accounts Clerks / (100.00%) / ($44,630)
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (92.88%) / ($44,620)
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($44,510)
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / (57.73%) / ($44,490)
Endoscopy Technicians / (100.01%) / ($44,490)
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators / (100.00%) / ($44,470)
Fence Erectors / (99.99%) / ($44,410)
Foundry Mold and Coremakers / (100.00%) / ($44,300)
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive / (89.01%) / ($44,280)
Bill and Account Collectors / (78.88%) / ($44,250)
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (100.00%) / ($44,240)
Opticians, Dispensing / (100.00%) / ($44,170)
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics / (100.00%) / ($44,140)
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers / (100.00%) / ($44,030)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians / (89.60%) / ($43,740)
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders / (99.99%) / ($43,540)
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing / (99.03%) / ($43,310)
Potters, Manufacturing / (77.39%) / ($43,310)
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping / (99.49%) / ($43,270)
Skincare Specialists / (78.15%) / ($43,200)
Agricultural Technicians / (63.19%) / ($43,180)
Precision Agriculture Technicians / (60.87%) / ($43,180)
Animal Control Workers / (96.15%) / ($43,170)
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners / (90.92%) / ($42,800)
Upholsterers / (100.00%) / ($42,730)
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (96.10%) / ($42,670)
Cooks, Private Household / (100.00%) / ($42,590)
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters / (93.77%) / ($42,470)
Light Truck Drivers / (100.00%) / ($42,470)
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($42,420)
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (100.00%) / ($42,400)
Correspondence Clerks / (88.39%) / ($42,120)
Medical Assistants / (82.53%) / ($42,000)
Printing Press Operators / (100.00%) / ($41,860)
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians / (100.00%) / ($41,780)
Order Clerks / (87.93%) / ($41,600)
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (100.00%) / ($41,600)
Social and Human Service Assistants / (44.61%) / ($41,410)
Photographers / (81.82%) / ($40,760)
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants / (99.99%) / ($40,640)
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks / (99.42%) / ($40,610)
Office Clerks, General / (99.76%) / ($40,480)
Pharmacy Technicians / (96.16%) / ($40,300)
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan / (98.84%) / ($40,300)
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers / (100.00%) / ($40,230)
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators / (99.36%) / ($40,200)
Etchers and Engravers / (99.99%) / ($40,040)
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($39,850)
Furniture Finishers / (100.00%) / ($39,790)
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks / (89.25%) / ($39,780)
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (96.57%) / ($39,740)
Psychiatric Technicians / (68.09%) / ($39,700)
Agricultural Equipment Operators / (99.99%) / ($39,690)
Customer Service Representatives / (85.79%) / ($39,680)
Tutors / (54.54%) / ($39,580)
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists / (89.50%) / ($39,360)
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders / (100.01%) / ($39,340)
Library Technicians / (68.58%) / ($39,310)
Conveyor Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($39,260)
Machine Feeders and Offbearers / (100.00%) / ($39,250)
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators / (100.00%) / ($39,210)
Psychiatric Aides / (95.92%) / ($39,160)
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers / (100.00%) / ($38,980)
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand / (100.00%) / ($38,940)
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / (100.00%) / ($38,870)
Animal Trainers / (98.25%) / ($38,810)
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($38,550)
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers / (100.00%) / ($38,520)
Food Batchmakers / (99.99%) / ($38,460)
Helpers--Electricians / (98.70%) / ($38,340)
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($38,330)
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing / (98.28%) / ($38,260)
Nursing Assistants / (87.36%) / ($38,200)
Slaughterers and Meat Packers / (100.00%) / ($38,160)
File Clerks / (91.72%) / ($38,130)
Print Binding and Finishing Workers / (100.01%) / ($38,100)
Telephone Operators / (100.00%) / ($38,080)
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood / (100.00%) / ($38,000)
Residential Advisors / (59.02%) / ($37,950)
Data Entry Keyers / (100.00%) / ($37,790)
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians / (91.17%) / ($37,720)
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand / (100.00%) / ($37,660)
Recycling and Reclamation Workers / (91.99%) / ($37,660)
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / (90.30%) / ($37,650)
Butchers and Meat Cutters / (100.00%) / ($37,650)
Tellers / (91.68%) / ($37,640)
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer / (82.57%) / ($37,450)
Counter and Rental Clerks / (79.75%) / ($37,400)
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / (55.21%) / ($37,380)
Concierges / (90.91%) / ($37,150)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education / (62.81%) / ($37,130)
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($37,130)
Security Guards / (98.04%) / ($37,070)
Medical Transcriptionists / (100.00%) / ($37,060)
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand / (100.00%) / ($37,040)
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons / (100.00%) / ($37,010)
Occupational Therapy Aides / (98.20%) / ($36,970)
Demonstrators and Product Promoters / (99.34%) / ($36,970)
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($36,970)
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service / (100.00%) / ($36,880)
Parts Salespersons / (86.38%) / ($36,860)
Orderlies / (100.00%) / ($36,830)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service / (96.96%) / ($36,750)
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers / (99.97%) / ($36,710)
Helpers--Production Workers / (92.38%) / ($36,700)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers / (90.54%) / ($36,650)
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($36,620)
Craft Artists / (86.96%) / ($36,600)
Dietetic Technicians / (93.29%) / ($36,520)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers / (99.54%) / ($36,440)
Crossing Guards and Flaggers / (100.00%) / ($36,370)
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers / (98.70%) / ($36,300)
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers / (82.36%) / ($36,230)
Pharmacy Aides / (100.00%) / ($36,200)
Gambling Cage Workers / (100.00%) / ($36,110)
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers / (100.00%) / ($36,020)
Receptionists and Information Clerks / (100.00%) / ($35,840)
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials / (80.95%) / ($35,820)
Cooks, Restaurant / (99.99%) / ($35,780)
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators / (94.81%) / ($35,620)
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / (100.00%) / ($35,530)
Driver/Sales Workers / (100.00%) / ($35,420)
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders / (100.01%) / ($35,340)
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria / (93.22%) / ($35,320)
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs / (99.83%) / ($35,240)
Motion Picture Projectionists / (89.90%) / ($35,160)
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals / (99.77%) / ($35,120)
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / (75.92%) / ($35,020)
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers / (100.00%) / ($34,910)
Baggage Porters and Bellhops / (100.01%) / ($34,840)
Packers and Packagers, Hand / (100.00%) / ($34,830)
Telemarketers / (100.00%) / ($34,480)
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse / (75.14%) / ($34,470)
Sewing Machine Operators / (99.99%) / ($34,440)
Recreation Workers / (37.90%) / ($34,410)
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products / (100.00%) / ($34,360)
Manicurists and Pedicurists / (100.00%) / ($34,250)
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment / (99.99%) / ($34,150)
Cooks, Short Order / (100.01%) / ($34,130)
Library Assistants, Clerical / (95.43%) / ($34,020)
Forest and Conservation Workers / (57.20%) / ($33,940)
Funeral Attendants / (88.97%) / ($33,850)
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants / (100.00%) / ($33,820)
Retail Salespersons / (96.00%) / ($33,680)
Physical Therapist Aides / (81.30%) / ($33,520)
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / (89.15%) / ($33,450)
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants / (89.23%) / ($33,450)
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers / (100.00%) / ($33,230)
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant / (87.18%) / ($33,110)
Parking Attendants / (99.04%) / ($32,840)
Food Preparation Workers / (95.85%) / ($32,420)
Gambling Dealers / (100.00%) / ($32,240)
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials / (85.85%) / ($32,240)
Sewers, Hand / (99.48%) / ($32,240)
Waiters and Waitresses / (100.00%) / ($31,940)
Bartenders / (98.88%) / ($31,510)
Dishwashers / (100.00%) / ($31,200)
Animal Caretakers / (86.63%) / ($31,200)
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers / (100.00%) / ($31,180)
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks / (95.41%) / ($30,790)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers / (98.78%) / ($30,380)
Childcare Workers / (91.29%) / ($30,370)
Nannies / (96.00%) / ($30,370)
Cashiers / (100.00%) / ($29,720)
Fast Food and Counter Workers / (99.96%) / ($29,540)
Shampooers / (100.00%) / ($29,530)
Amusement and Recreation Attendants / (98.57%) / ($29,390)
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop / (86.88%) / ($29,220)
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners / (100.01%) / ($29,170)
Dancers / (100.01%) / (Salary Not Available)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Special Effects Artists and Animators.

Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Special Effects Artists and Animators" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.




Special Effects Artists and Animators

Description: Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
62,400
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
72,300
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
9,900 (15.8%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
7,800
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Special Effects Artists and Animators":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.
Importance: 49 (%) Description: Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer.
Importance: 43 (%) Description: Convert real objects to animated objects through modeling, using techniques such as optical scanning.
Importance: 39 (%) Description: Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence.
Importance: 38 (%) Description: Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Assemble equipment or components.
Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Maintain computer equipment or software.
Maintain equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Prepare film for distribution or use.
Prepare production storyboards.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Assemble equipment or components.
Activity: Create artistic designs or performances.
Activity: Create visual designs or displays.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment.
Activity: Maintain tools or equipment.
Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment.
Activity: Process digital or online data.
Activity: Set up equipment.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe InDesign
Graphical user interface development software:
Figma
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Canva
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Video creation and editing software:
Adobe After Effects
Web platform development software:
Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML
Widely Used Tech Skills
Development environment software:
Unity Technologies Unity
Unreal Technology Unreal Engine
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Autodesk Maya
SideFX Houdini
Video creation and editing software:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Maxon Cinema 4D
Emerging Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Development environment software:
C
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Enterprise application integration software:
Extensible markup language XML
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Object or component oriented development software:
C++
jQuery
Python
Operating system software:
Apple macOS
Microsoft Windows
UNIX
Process mapping and design software:
Microsoft Visio
Web platform development software:
AJAX
JavaScript
PHP
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below):
Autodesk 3ds Max Design
Autodesk Alias Design
Autodesk Alias Surface
AutoDesSys form Z
solidThinking
Configuration management software:
Perforce Helix software
Desktop publishing software:
QuarkXPress
Development environment software (scroll table below):
Adobe ActionScript
Adobe AIR
Code libraries
Component libraries
Crytek CryEngine
DX Studio
MaxScript
Maya Embedded Language MEL
XML User Interface XUI
Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below):
Ability Photopaint
ACD Systems Canvas
Adobe FreeHand MX
Adobe ImageReady
Ambient Design ArtRage
Apple DrawBerry
Aqsis Renderer
Autodesk Combustion
Autodesk Mudbox
Autodesk SketchBook Pro
Autodesk SoftImage
AutoQ3D
Blender
Bohemian Coding DrawIt
Bunkspeed HyperDrive
Bunkspeed HyperMove
Caligari Corporation trueSpace
Celsys RETAS
Character Studio
Cheetah3D
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
Corel Painter
Cybermotion 3D Designer
DAZ Productions Bryce
DAZ Productions Carrara
e-on software Vue
Electric Rain Swift 3D Xpress
Freeverse Lineform
HASH Animation:Master
Indigo Renderer
Inivis AC3D
Luxology Modo
Luxrender
MagicTracer
Massive Jet
Maxon BodyPaint 3D
Mental Images Mental Ray
Microsoft Expression Design
Nevercenter Silo
NewTek Lightwave 3D
Next Limit Maxwell Render
NodeBox
NVDIA Gelato
Pixarra TwistedBrush
Pixelmator
Pixologic Zbrush
Quad Software Grome
RealFlow
Satori Paint
Serif DrawPlus
Side Effects Software Houdini
sK1
Skencil
SmithMicro Anime Studio
SmithMicro Manga Studio
SmithMicro SoftwarePoser
SplutterFish Brazil
Sunflow Render System
Three-dimensional graphics software
Trapcode Particular
Two-dimensional graphics software
VectorDesigner
Xara Designer Pro
Object or component oriented development software:
Object-oriented programming languages
Video creation and editing software (scroll table below):
Adobe Director
Apple Final Cut Pro
Autodesk 3ds Max
Autodesk MotionBuilder
Chaos Group V-Ray
Pixar RenderMan Studio
TechSmith Camtasia
YouTube
Web page creation and editing software:
Adobe Dreamweaver
Google Sites
Social media sites
Web platform development software (scroll table below):
Adobe Flex
Drupal
Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML
Microsoft Silverlight
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 52.8 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 39.7 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 5.4 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 1.7 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 53.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 32.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Autodesk Certified User External Link
Autodesk Moldflow Insight Professional Certification External Link
Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music External Link
Avid Certified User for Pro Tools External Link
WOW Certified Web Designer Apprentice External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Special Effects Artists and Animators
3D Animator (Three-Dimensional Animator)
3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist)
3D Designer (Three-dimensional Designer)
3D Modeler (Three-Dimensional Modeler)
3D Specialist (Three-Dimensional Specialist)
Animation Artist
Animation Producer
Animator
Anime Artist
Anime Designer
Artist
Cartoon Animator
Cartoon Artist
Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer)
Computer Artist
Computer Graphic Artist
Computer Graphic Designer
Computer Graphics Illustrator
Concept Artist
Content Producer
Creative Designer
Digital Artist
Digital Content Producer
Digital Designer
Digital Experience Designer
Digital Media Designer
Digital Media Specialist
Environment Artist
FX Artist (Effects Artist)
Game Artist
Game Developer
Graphic Artist
Graphic Design Specialist
Graphics Specialist
Interaction Designer
Interactive Designer
Interactive Digital Media Specialist
Media Designer
Media Producer
Media Specialist
Motion Designer
Motion Graphics Artist
Motion Graphics Designer
Motion Pictures Cartoonist
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia Author
Multimedia Authoring Specialist
Multimedia Designer
Multimedia Developer
Multimedia Graphic Designer
Multimedia Producer
Multimedia Specialist
Multimedia Technician
Production Artist
Special Effects Artist
Special Effects Designer
Special Effects Specialist
Special Effects Technician
Storyboard Artist
Studio Designer
Technical Animator
Texture Artist
Video Game Animator
Virtual Reality Specialist
Visual Designer
Visual Effects Artist (FX Artist)
Visual Interaction Designer
Web Graphic Designer
Related Careers to Consider
Related Careers to Consider
This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Special Effects Artists and Animators" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Graphic Designers
2 - Film and Video Editors
3 - Art Directors
4 - Video Game Designers
5 - Producers and Directors
6 - Desktop Publishers
7 - Web and Digital Interface Designers
8 - Photographers
9 - Media Technical Directors/Managers
10 - Commercial and Industrial Designers
11 - Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
12 - Prepress Technicians and Workers
13 - Craft Artists
14 - Audio and Video Technicians
15 - Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
16 - Sound Engineering Technicians
17 - Computer Programmers
18 - Web Developers
19 - Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
20 - Writers and Authors

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Special Effects Artists and Animators". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Special Effects Artists and Animators". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Special Effects Artists and Animators". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Special Effects Artists and Animators


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Special Effects Artists and Animators" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page