🎨 Creative & Media
↑ 5% growth · Average
Animator / Motion Graphics Designer
Animators and motion graphics designers create the animated content that brings brands, films, games, and social media to life — one of the most creatively fulfilling careers in the digital economy. Strong portfolios open doors regardless of formal education, and demand continues to grow with streaming content and digital advertising.
$78,790
Median Salary
78K
US Jobs
2–4 years
Training
$10,000–$50,000
Typical Cost
💰 Salary & Earning Potential
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.
📈 Job Outlook
5%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
78K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
Portfolio-based; Adobe Certified Professional
Required Credential
Portfolio-based; Adobe Certified Professional
🎓 Training & Education
Typical Program
AAS in Animation, Bachelor's in Fine Arts, or Self-Taught
Program Length
2–4 years
Typical Tuition
$10,000–$50,000
Work Setting
Animation studios, game companies, ad agencies, streaming platforms
🏆 Credential Required: Portfolio-based; Adobe Certified Professional
☀️ Day in the Life
A typical day as a Animator / Motion Graphics Designer involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Animation studios environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✅ Strong job security
- ✅ Rewarding work
- ✅ Clear career progression
- ✅ Growing demand
Challenges
- ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
- ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
- ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region
🗺️ Animator / Motion Graphics Designer by State
See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:
FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC
🏫 Schools and programs related to Animator / Motion Graphics Designer
USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.
Federal dataset match
Community College
Estrella Mountain Community College
📍 Avondale, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
📍 Chandler, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
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Community College
Scottsdale Community College
📍 Scottsdale, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
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Community College
South Mountain Community College
📍 Phoenix, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
📍 Annandale, VA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Connecticut State Community College
📍 Hartford, CT
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
El Camino Community College District
📍 Torrance, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
📍 New York, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
East Los Angeles College
📍 Monterey Park, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
📍 Long Island City, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Los Angeles Valley College
📍 Valley Glen, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Raritan Valley Community College
📍 Branchburg, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District
📍 San Jacinto, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Hudson County Community College
📍 Jersey City, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Los Angeles Harbor College
📍 Wilmington, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Community College of Philadelphia
📍 Philadelphia, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Montgomery County Community College
📍 Blue Bell, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
📍 Grand Rapids, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Central New Mexico Community College
📍 Albuquerque, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Ivy Tech Community College
📍 Indianapolis, IN
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Community College of Rhode Island
📍 Warwick, RI
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
San Bernardino Valley College
📍 San Bernardino, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
CUNY Queensborough Community College
📍 Bayside, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Los Angeles Pierce College
📍 Woodland Hills, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
CUNY Kingsborough Community College
📍 Brooklyn, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Private College
Delaware College of Art and Design
📍 Wilmington, DE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College
📍 Gardner, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College
📍 Mays Landing, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College
📍 Schnecksville, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Northampton County Area Community College
📍 Bethlehem, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Northern Essex Community College
📍 Haverhill, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Westmoreland County Community College
📍 Youngwood, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cochise County Community College District
📍 Sierra Vista, AZ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Jamestown Community College
📍 Jamestown, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
📍 Coon Rapids, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area
📍 Omaha, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Oklahoma City Community College
📍 Oklahoma City, OK
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Reading Area Community College
📍 Reading, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
📍 Hampton, VA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Sussex County Community College
📍 Newton, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Southwestern Illinois College
📍 Belleville, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
📍 Minneapolis, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College
📍 Senatobia, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
SUNY Corning Community College
📍 Corning, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Santa Barbara City College
📍 Santa Barbara, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
📍 Chicago, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Washtenaw Community College
📍 Ann Arbor, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cayuga County Community College
📍 Auburn, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Finger Lakes Community College
📍 Canandaigua, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College of Allegheny County
📍 Pittsburgh, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Rochester Community and Technical College
📍 Rochester, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Manchester Community College
📍 Manchester, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Rowan College at Burlington County
📍 Mount Laurel, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Salem Community College
📍 Carneys Point, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Dutchess Community College
📍 Poughkeepsie, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City College of San Francisco
📍 San Francisco, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
📍 Chicago, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus
📍 Vineland, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Delaware County Community College
📍 Media, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Copper Mountain Community College
📍 Joshua Tree, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cerro Coso Community College
📍 Ridgecrest, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Iowa Central Community College
📍 Fort Dodge, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Bay de Noc Community College
📍 Escanaba, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Oakland Community College
📍 Auburn Hills, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Niagara County Community College
📍 Sanborn, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Bucks County Community College
📍 Newtown, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
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Community College
Wharton County Junior College
📍 Wharton, TX
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northern Wyoming Community College District
📍 Sheridan, WY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Barton County Community College
📍 Great Bend, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
📍 Paducah, KY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Normandale Community College
📍 Bloomington, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mesalands Community College
📍 Tucumcari, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Herkimer County Community College
📍 Herkimer, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Luzerne County Community College
📍 Nanticoke, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lamar State College-Port Arthur
📍 Port Arthur, TX
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lake Tahoe Community College
📍 South Lake Tahoe, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles Southwest College
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College
📍 Sioux City, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Springfield Technical Community College
📍 Springfield, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College
📍 Moorhead, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Passaic County Community College
📍 Paterson, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Columbia-Greene Community College
📍 Hudson, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College
📍 Utica, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Butler County Community College
📍 Butler, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Iowa Western Community College
📍 Council Bluffs, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Hennepin Community College
📍 Brooklyn Park, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
📍 Wesson, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lakes Region Community College
📍 Laconia, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Fulton-Montgomery Community College
📍 Johnstown, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College
📍 Chicago, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College
📍 Godfrey, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Waubonsee Community College
📍 Sugar Grove, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
William Rainey Harper College
📍 Palatine, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Ellsworth Community College
📍 Iowa Falls, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Indian Hills Community College
📍 Ottumwa, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Dodge City Community College
📍 Dodge City, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Independence Community College
📍 Independence, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Roxbury Community College
📍 Roxbury Crossing, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Glen Oaks Community College
📍 Centreville, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Monroe County Community College
📍 Monroe, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Central Michigan College
📍 Petoskey, MI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwestern Michigan College
📍 Dowagiac, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
📍 Fergus Falls, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Inver Hills Community College
📍 Inver Grove Heights, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
📍 Perkinston, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Flathead Valley Community College
📍 Kalispell, MT
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Great Bay Community College
📍 Portsmouth, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
📍 Alamogordo, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of New Mexico-Taos Campus
📍 Ranchos de Taos, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Country Community College
📍 Saranac Lake, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
College of the Albemarle
📍 Elizabeth City, NC
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
📍 Fort Totten, ND
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
📍 Miami, OK
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Owensboro Community and Technical College
📍 Owensboro, KY
Certificate 2-4yr
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