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Animation Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Animation Careers and Jobs - all on one page


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 to (1) Select from Animation careers/jobs, (2) Find Animation job listings, (3) Prepare for Animation careers, and (4) Provide Animation career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Animation careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Animation Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Animation careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Animation, so relevant Animation jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Animation Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Animation Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Animation careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 24 Animation Jobs.
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 job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title 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. Submit the form and you will see current job listings. You can change the job title, location, or distance from location as desired. Each of the listings will link to a current job opening.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core and Supplemental Duties: Lists the worker-related tasks performed
General and Specific Work Activities: Summarizes the broad and more specific types of behaviors related to the career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Skills Required: Provides basic skills and cross-functional skills needed
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Educational Requirements: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Work Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the prior work experience required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All details appear on this page
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links 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. Can also assist with coffee chats.
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/Job

7 Animation careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Animation-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Animation-Related Jobs

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance 37% Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist
Occupation: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 37% Animation-Related Jobs: Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 24.1% Animation Camera Operator
Occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 24.1% Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Camera Operator
Producers and Directors 24.1% Animation Director; Animation Producer
Occupation: Producers and Directors U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 24.1% Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Director; Animation Producer
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 17.3% 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Occupation: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 17.3% Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Special Effects Artists and Animators 15.8% 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Occupation: Special Effects Artists and Animators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 15.8% Animation-Related Jobs: 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians 8.6% 3D Technologist
Occupation: Radiologic Technologists and Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8.6% Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Technologist
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 4.4% 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 4.4% Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)

7 Animation careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Animation-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Animation-Related Jobs

Special Effects Artists and Animators $ 99,060 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Occupation: Special Effects Artists and Animators National Median Salary: $ 99,060 Animation-Related Jobs: 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Producers and Directors $ 82,510 Animation Director; Animation Producer
Occupation: Producers and Directors National Median Salary: $ 82,510 Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Director; Animation Producer
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians $ 73,410 3D Technologist
Occupation: Radiologic Technologists and Technicians National Median Salary: $ 73,410 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Technologist
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians $ 62,610 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians National Median Salary: $ 62,610 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film $ 61,800 Animation Camera Operator
Occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film National Median Salary: $ 61,800 Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Camera Operator
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $ 59,300 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Occupation: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators National Median Salary: $ 59,300 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance $ 47,390 Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist
Occupation: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance National Median Salary: $ 47,390 Animation-Related Jobs: Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist

7 Animation careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Animation-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma
1 = May require a high school diploma or GED certificate
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Animation-Related Jobs

Producers and Directors 4 Animation Director; Animation Producer
Occupation: Producers and Directors Education/Preparation: 4 Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Director; Animation Producer
Special Effects Artists and Animators 4 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Occupation: Special Effects Artists and Animators Education/Preparation: 4 Animation-Related Jobs: 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; Cartoon Animator; Civil 3D Designer (Civil Three-Dimensional Designer); Special Effects Artist; Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Specialist; Special Effects Technician; Storyboard Artist; Technical Animator; Video Game Animator
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 3 Animation Camera Operator
Occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Education/Preparation: 3 Animation-Related Jobs: Animation Camera Operator
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 3 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Occupation: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Education/Preparation: 3 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist); 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist); Animated Cartoons Painter
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)
Occupation: Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance 3 Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist
Occupation: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Education/Preparation: 3 Animation-Related Jobs: Special Effects Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians 3 3D Technologist
Occupation: Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Animation-Related Jobs: 3D Technologist

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 24 specific Animation job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

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



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career


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