### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Special Effects Artists and Animators Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			multimedia artists and animators imageMultimedia artists and animators create animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other media.							
						Quick Facts:     Special Effects Artists and Animators2023     Median Pay
            						$99,060     per year
										$47.63     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    89,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    8% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    7,400What Special Effects Artists and Animators Do
                                                
                        
                        
Special effects artists and animators create images that appear to move and visual effects for various forms of media and entertainment.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home.
            
                                                How to Become a Special Effects Artist or Animator
                                                
                        
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $99,060 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of special effects artists and animators is projected to grow							 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 9,400 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Special Effects Artists and Animators Do 
            

			Special effects artists and animatorsSpecial effects artists and animators create two- and three-dimensional models and animation.			
Special effects artists and animators create two- and three-dimensional models, images that appear to move, and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.
Duties
Special effects artists and animators typically do the following:
Use computer programs and illustrations to create graphics and animation (images that appear to move)
Work with a team of animators and artists to create a movie, game, or visual effect
Research upcoming projects to help create realistic designs or animation
Edit animation and effects on the basis of feedback from directors, other animators, game designers, or clients
Meet with clients, other animators, games designers, directors, and other staff (which may include actors) to review deadlines and development timelinesSpecial effects artists and animators often work in a specific medium. Some focus on creating animated movies or video games. Others create visual effects for movies and television shows. Creating computer-generated images (known as CGI) may include taking images of an actor’s movements and then animating them into three-dimensional characters. Other animators design scenery or backgrounds for locations.
Artists and animators can further specialize within these fields. Within animated movies and video games, artists often specialize in characters or in scenery and background design. Video game artists may focus on level design: creating the look, feel, and layout for the levels of a video game.
Animators work in teams to develop a movie, a visual effect, or an electronic game. Each animator works on a portion of the project, and then the pieces are put together to create one cohesive animation.
Some special effects artists and animators create their work primarily by using computer software or by writing their own computer code. Many animation companies have their own computer animation software that artists must learn to use. Video game designers also work in a variety of platforms, including mobile gaming and online social networks.
Other artists and animators prefer to work by drawing and painting by hand and then translating the resulting images into computer programs. Some special effects artists use storyboards or “animatics,” which look like a comic strip, to help visualize the final product during the design process.
Many special effects artists and animators put their creative work on the Internet. If the images become popular, these artists can gain more recognition, which may lead to future employment or freelance work.
 Work Environment
			Special effects artists and animatorsSpecial effects artists and animators frequently work in offices.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Special effects artists and animators held about 89,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of special effects artists and animators were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                58%Motion picture and video industries
                19Software publishers
                6Computer systems design and related services
                5Advertising, public relations, and related services
                1Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home.
Work Schedules
Most special effects artists and animators work a regular schedule; however, when deadlines are approaching, they may need to work nights and weekends.
 How to Become a Special Effects Artist or Animator

			Multimedia artists and animatorsEmployers look for workers who have a good portfolio of work and strong computer programming skills.			
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.
Education
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, animation, fine arts, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree programs in computer graphics often include courses in computer science in addition to art. Programs in animation often require classes in drawing, animation, and film. Programs in fine arts may include courses in painting, drawing, and sculpture. Schools also may have specialized degrees in topics such as interactive media or game design.
Employers usually prefer to hire candidates who have a good portfolio and strong technical skills, both of which students may develop while earning a degree.
Advancement
Special effects artists and animators who show strong teamwork and time-management skills can advance to supervisory positions, where they are responsible for one aspect of a visual effects team. Some artists might advance to leadership or directorial positions, such as an art director or producer or director.
Other Experience
Skills in graphics and animation can be honed through self-study. Special effects artists and animators can develop these skills to enhance their portfolios, which may make it easier to find job opportunities.
Important Qualities
***Artistic talent.*** Animators and artists should have artistic ability and a good understanding of color, texture, and light. However, they may be able to compensate for artistic shortcomings with better technical skills.
***Communication skills.*** Special effects artists and animators need to work as part of a team and respond well to criticism and feedback.
***Computer skills.*** Many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work.
***Creativity.*** Artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life.
***Time-management skills.*** The workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines. Artists and animators need to be able to manage their time effectively when a deadline approaches.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Special effects artists and animators$99,060  Art and design workers$51,660  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $99,060 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $169,580.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for special effects artists and animators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Software publishers
                $110,340Motion picture and video industries
                109,320Advertising, public relations, and related services
                83,360Computer systems design and related services
                81,000Most special effects artists and animators work a regular full-time schedule; however, when deadlines are approaching, they may need to work nights and weekends.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Special effects artists and animators8%  Total, all occupations3%  Art and design workers3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of special effects artists and animators is projected to grow				 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 9,400 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television. Consumer demand will continue for more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and three-dimensional movies. Additional special effects artists and animators will be required to meet increased demand for these enhanced visual complexities.
Furthermore, continued demand for computer graphics for mobile devices, such as smart phones, will lead to more job opportunities. Special effects artists will be needed to create animation for games and for mobile applications.
			

                        Employment projections data for     special effects artists and animators, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Special effects artists and animators**
			27-1014
			89,300
			96,600
			8
			7,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Special effects artists and animators **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of special effects artists and animators. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Art Directors**
            Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $106,500**Computer Programmers**
            Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,700**Craft and Fine Artists**
            Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.
            See How to Become One
            $52,910**Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators**
            Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate moving images that entertain or inform an audience.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,070**Graphic Designers**
            Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.
            Bachelor's degree
            $58,910**Producers and Directors**
            Producers and directors make business and creative decisions about film, television, stage, and other productions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $82,510**Web Developers and Digital Designers**
            Web developers create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability.
            Bachelor's degree
            $92,750
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about accredited schools of art and design, visit
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
For more information about careers in video game design, visit
Game Career Guide

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                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Special Effects Artists and Animators
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Special Effects Artists and Animators, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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