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Motion Graphic Artist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Motion Graphic Artist I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Motion Graphic Artist I in the United States is $63,440 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, a Motion Graphic Artist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,990
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,220 to $73,150
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,826
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,220 10% $45,826 90% $81,990 75% $73,150 $63,440 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Motion Graphic Artist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,150 $6,096 $1,407 $35
Average $63,440 $5,287 $1,220 $31
25th Percentile $54,220 $4,518 $1,043 $26
Check out Motion Graphic Artist I Job Openings in the United States
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HII Mission Technologies - FORT BELVOIR, VA

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TM3 Solutions, Inc. - HON, HI

Graphic Artist

Softek Global Services LLC dba Strategic Growth Partners - DORAL, FL

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Key Factors That Influence Motion Graphic Artist I Salaries

A Motion Graphic Artist I'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Motion Graphic Artist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Motion Graphic Artist I'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $62,064
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $62,477
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,752
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $63,730
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,889
Levels Salary
Entry Level Motion Graphic Artist I$62,064
Intermediate Level Motion Graphic Artist I$62,477
Senior Level Motion Graphic Artist I$62,752
Specialist Level Motion Graphic Artist I$63,730
Expert Level Motion Graphic Artist I$64,889
$62,064 0 yr
$62,477 < 2 yrs
$62,752 2-4 yrs
$63,730 5-8 yrs
$64,889 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Motion Graphic Artist Is

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: $80,020
  • San Francisco: $79,240
  • Oakland: $77,480

What Skills Can Increase a Motion Graphic Artist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 6.13% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Motion Graphics (Mentioned in 4.25% Job Postings): Motion Graphics is essentially graphic design made video. This style combines sound, text, charts, symbols, and animation, to convey hard data and written information in a compelling and clear way.
  • Software Design (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Software design is the process by which an agent creates a specification of a software artifact, intended to accomplish goals, using a set of primitive components and subject to constraints. Software design may refer to either "all the activity involved in conceptualizing, framing, implementing, commissioning, and ultimately modifying complex systems" or "the activity following requirements specification and before programming, as ... [in] a stylized software engineering process." Software design usually involves problem solving and planning a software solution. This includes both a low-level component and algorithm design and a high-level, architecture design.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 6.13%
Motion Graphics 4.25%
Software Design 1.86%
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 Motion Graphic Artist I's salary.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Design
$71,053
12%
Commitment
$68,515
8%
Consulting
$67,881
7%
Insight
$67,246
6%
Analysis
$67,246
6%
Motion Graphics
$66,612
5%
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How Education impacts a Motion Graphic Artist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Motion Graphic Artist Is enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Motion Graphic Artist I with a No Diploma is between $53,360 and $59,660).

Motion Graphic Artist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Motion Graphic Artist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.0%
High School 10.0%
Associates 10.0%
Bachelors 67.0%
Masters 12.2%
Doctorate 0.8%
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Motion Graphic Artist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Motion Graphic Artist I'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 January 01, 2026

Motion Graphic Artist I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Motion Graphic Artist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the 3D Animator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $77,800 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Motion Graphic Artist I

Salaries for a Motion Graphic Artist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $57,414 in 2023 to around $56,885 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Motion Graphic Artist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Motion Graphic Artist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,414
2024
$57,253
2025
$56,885
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,414
2024 $57,253
2025 $56,885
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Motion Graphic Artist I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Motion Graphic Artist I

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FAQ about Motion Graphic Artist I

1. Is motion graphics expensive?

Motion graphics can vary in cost significantly. On average, a Motion Graphic Artist earns between $54,630 and $74,950 annually, with a mid-salary of $63,820. Basic projects may start around $500, while more complex ones can exceed $10,000, influenced by revisions, video elements, and the designer's time investment.

2. Is motion graphics a good career?

Motion graphics is a promising career choice, especially given the demand for skilled artists. In the U.S., motion graphic artists earn a salary ranging from $54,630 to $74,950, with a median salary of $63,820. This reflects the growing importance of visual content in various industries, making it a lucrative field for creative professionals.

3. How much should you charge for a motion graphic?

When determining how much to charge for motion graphics, consider the salary data for a Motion Graphic Artist. The minimum salary is approximately $54,630, the mid-range is about $63,820, and the maximum is around $74,950. This translates to project costs typically ranging from $4,000 to $8,500 per minute for 2D graphics and $5,000 to $9,500 for 3D graphics, with smaller projects around $300 to $1,000.

4. Can I become a millionaire as a graphic designer?

Yes, graphic design can be a fulfilling and lucrative career. Motion Graphic Artists earn between $54,630 and $74,950, with a median salary of $63,820. The rise of digital media and advertising creates high demand for skilled designers, offering flexibility in remote work or freelancing, which can lead to significant financial success over time.

5. Does Motion Industries pay well?

Motion Graphic Artists typically earn between $54,630 and $74,950 annually, with a median salary of $63,820. This suggests that Motion Industries offers competitive pay within this range, reflecting the value of skilled professionals in the industry.

6. Is animation a good career in USA?

Animation can be a rewarding career for those with a passion for visual storytelling and design. Motion Graphic Artists in the USA earn between $54,630 and $74,950, with a median salary of $63,820. The industry is growing, with a projected job growth rate of 8.2% for multimedia artists and animators from 2022 to 2032.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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