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3D Animator II Salary in the United States

How much does a 3D Animator II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a 3D Animator II in the United States is $77,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a 3D Animator II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,510
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,000 to $85,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,809
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence 3D Animator II Salaries

A 3D Animator II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects 3D Animator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 3D Animator II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • 3D Animator I (0-2 years): $63,487
  • 3D Animator II (2-4 years): $77,764
  • 3D Animator III (4-7 years): $94,246
  • 3D Animator IV (7+ years): $129,285
  • 3D Animator V (7-10 years): $156,928
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
3D Animator I0-2 years$63,487
3D Animator II2-4 years$77,764
3D Animator III4-7 years$94,246
3D Animator IV7+ years$129,285
3D Animator V7-10 years$156,928
View as Graph

How Do 3D Animator II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract 3D Animator IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $86,200.
  • California: $85,800.
  • Massachusetts: $84,700.

Top Paying Cities for 3D Animator IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $98,100
  • San Francisco: $97,100
  • Oakland: $95,000

What Skills Can Increase a 3D Animator II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 2.02% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Typography (Mentioned in 2.5% Job Postings): Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing (leading), and letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space between pairs of letters (kerning). The term typography is also applied to the style, arrangement, and appearance of the letters, numbers, and symbols created by the process. Type design is a closely related craft, sometimes considered part of typography; most typographers do not design typefaces, and some type designers do not consider themselves typographers. Typography also may be used as a decorative device, unrelated to communication of information. Typography is the work of typesetters (also known as compositors), typographers, graphic designers, art directors, manga artists, comic book artists, graffiti artists, and, now, anyone who arranges words, letters, numbers, and symbols for publication, display, or distribution, from clerical workers and newsletter writers to anyone self-publishing materials. Until the Digital Age, typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of previously unrelated designers and lay users. As the capability to create typography has become ubiquitous, the application of principles and best practices developed over generations of skilled workers and professionals has diminished. So at a time when scientific techniques can support the proven traditions (e.g., greater legibility with the use of serifs, upper and lower case, contrast, etc.) through understanding the limitations of human vision, typography as often encountered may fail to achieve its principal objective: effective communication.
  • Illustration (Mentioned in 1.66% Job Postings): Using creative artwork to explain or depict a particular meaning to come across the viewer's mind.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 2.02%
Typography 2.5%
Illustration 1.66%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a 3D Animator II's salary.

  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Game Engines: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hard Working $82,468
6%
UI $81,690
5%
Game Engines $80,912
4%
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3D Animator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

3D Animator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,945. While startup companies pay approximate $73,546.

3D Animator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,546
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,783
Established 501~5000 $83,956
Enterprise 5000+ $86,945

3D Animator II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 3D Animator II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, 3D Animator positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 3D Animator II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 3D Animator II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$97,250$47.025%
Energy & Utilities$93,360$45.020%
Pharmaceuticals$93,360$45.020%
Healthcare$89,470$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,580$41.010%

3D Animator II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 3D Animator II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$71,000
Average $77,800/year
$85,500
$5,917
Average $6,483/month
$7,125
$1,365
Average $1,496/week
$1,644
$34
Average $37/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,500 $7,125 $1,644 $41
Average $77,800 $6,483 $1,496 $37
25th Percentile $71,000 $5,917 $1,365 $34

3D Animator II Salary Growth & Career Path

3D Animator II

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Advancement

For a 3D Animator II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the 3D Animator III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $94,300 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for 3D Animator II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for 3D Animator II

Here are companies hiring for 3D Animator II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about 3D Animator II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for 3D Animator II?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for 3D Animator II roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is animation a good career in USA?

Animation can be a rewarding career in the USA, with 3D animators earning between $73,000 and $86,800 annually. The average salary of $80,200 reflects the growing demand for skilled animators in various industries, making it a promising field for those passionate about creativity and technology.

3. What is the highest paid 3D artist job?

The highest-paid 3D Animator can earn a maximum salary of $86,800 per year. The average starting salary for a 3D Artist in India is around ?1.6 Lakhs annually, requiring at least one year of experience. In comparison, the highest salary for a 3D Artist in India can reach ?10.7 Lakhs per year.

4. How much does a 2 minute 2D animation cost?

The cost of creating 2D animation can vary significantly, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per minute. For professional 3D animation, salaries for animators range from $73,000 to $86,800 annually, which can influence project costs. This versatile art form is widely used in various media projects, including short films, commercials, and full-length movies.

5. How much do Netflix 2D animators make?

Netflix 3D animators typically earn between $73,000 and $86,800 annually, with a mid-salary of around $80,200. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the role.

6. Are American animators paid well?

American animators are generally well-compensated. The salary data for 3D animators shows a minimum salary of $73,000, a mid-range salary of $80,200, and a maximum salary of $86,800 per year. This indicates a solid earning potential, especially for those with experience in the field.

7. Are 3D animators in demand?

Yes, 3D animators are in demand. While it's a specialized field with around 73,000 animators in a large workforce, the job outlook is positive. With salaries ranging from $73,000 to $86,800, the profession offers competitive compensation, reflecting the growing need for skilled animators in various industries.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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