Walt Disney Animation Studios Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Walt Disney Animation Studios in the United States is $46. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $94,703. Salaries at Walt Disney Animation Studios typically range from $40 to $52 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Walt Disney Animation Studios Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Character TD - Rigging, with an hourly wage of $55. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Character TD - Rigging

$55 / hour

Salary Range: $51 - $59

Solutions Engineering

Character TD, Technical Animation

$40 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $44

Motion Graphics Design

Coordinator, D&I Strategies (People, Culture & Content)

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $37 - $46

Employee Relations

Designer (PH)

$40 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $44

Motion Graphics Design

General Technical Director

$38 / hour

Salary Range: $34 - $42

Fashion

Layout Artist

$37 / hour

Salary Range: $32 - $42

Art Design

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

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About Walt Disney Animation Studios: Company Profile

Website
www.disneyanimation.com
Founded In
1923
Employees
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Location
GLENDALE
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS
Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind "Frozen," "Big Hero 6," "Zootopia" and "Moana" brings imagination to life through animated films. Our filmmakers and technologists work together to create the magic of animation. Bring your unique talents, passions and ideas to our team, and prepare to play in a creative and innovative environment. Visit www.disneyanimation.com for the latest news,

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Walt Disney Animation Studios's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
A dependable employer with a fair approach to workload and expectations. I’ve grown so much professionally, and I appreciate the transparent communication from leadership and access to development resources. Leadership is approachable and transparent, valuing employee feedback and promoting career development through ongoing training and mentorship. Flexible work policies and comprehensive benefit...
Career progression is possible, but internal competition can be tough. We are empowered to find and elevate diverse voices, ensuring our content reflects the real world. Recognition programs celebrate achievements regularly. This balance allows creative professionals to maintain their passion without constant burnout. Leadership provides clear direction while allowing creative freedom.
This media firm provides a vibrant workplace filled with talented professionals. The office atmosphere is always buzzing with creative energy. This is a space that champions creativity and individuality.

Is Walt Disney Animation Studios’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Walt Disney Animation Studios's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
W A M C PUBLIC RADIO $39
-15.3%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
W.D. HOARD & SONS COMPANY $36
-20.7%
W.D. HOARD & SONS COMPANY may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
W D E V $37
-19.7%
W D E V operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
W A I B B103 TALLAHASSEE COUNTRY $33
-27.3%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like W A I B B103 TALLAHASSEE COUNTRY.
Media Industry $61
+32.5%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Glendale?

Understanding the cost of living near Glendale is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Glendale's Cost of Living Index is approximately 167.2 (67.2% more expensive than US average; 19.6% more than CA average). LA County city near downtown LA, very high housing costs, desirable, with many amenities. When planning your budget based on a salary from Walt Disney Animation Studios, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,300 - $3,300+ A significant portion of Walt Disney Animation Studios salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $160 - $270 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $75 (Beeline/Metro access varies) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $470 - $700 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $850+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $760+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,855 - $5,885+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Walt Disney Animation Studios

FAQ 1: How much does a Walt Disney Animation Studios employee make?
Walt Disney Animation Studios pays its employees an average of $46 per hour. The average salary at Walt Disney Animation Studios range from $40 to $52 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Walt Disney Animation Studios?
The salary at Walt Disney Animation Studios is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Walt Disney Animation Studios is $94,703, or an hourly wage of $46, in comparison to W A M C PUBLIC RADIO which pays $80,242 per year or $39 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Walt Disney Animation Studios?
In many roles at Walt Disney Animation Studios, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Glendale affect the perceived value of a Walt Disney Animation Studios salary?
Glendale's Cost of Living Index is approximately 167.2 (67.2% more expensive than US average; 19.6% more than CA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Walt Disney Animation Studios based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Glendale" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Walt Disney Animation Studios typically offer employees?
Walt Disney Animation Studios generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Walt Disney Animation Studios" section on this page.