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Motion Graphic Designer I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Motion Graphic Designer I in the United States is $63,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,212
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,290 to $73,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,914
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Motion Graphic Designer I Salaries

A Motion Graphic Designer 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 Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Motion Graphic Designer 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:

  • Motion Graphic Designer 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
Motion Graphic Designer 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 Motion Graphic Designer I 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 Motion Graphic Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,290.
  • California: $70,090.
  • Massachusetts: $69,090.

Top Paying Cities for Motion Graphic Designer 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: $80,090
  • San Francisco: $79,190
  • Oakland: $77,590

What Skills Can Increase a Motion Graphic Designer 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 6.13%
Motion Graphics 4.25%
Software Design 1.86%
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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 Designer 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 $71,109
12%
Commitment $68,569
8%
Consulting $67,934
7%
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Motion Graphic Designer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Motion Graphic Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,953. While startup companies pay approximate $60,019.

Motion Graphic Designer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,019
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,476
Established 501~5000 $68,514
Enterprise 5000+ $70,953

Motion Graphic Designer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Motion Graphic Designer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 105% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Motion Graphic Designer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Motion Graphic Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Motion Graphic Designer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$88,886$43.040%
Software & Networking$85,712$41.035%
Financial Services$82,537$40.030%
Biotechnology$79,362$38.025%
Internet$76,188$37.020%

How Education impacts a Motion Graphic Designer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Motion Graphic Designer 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 Designer I with a No Diploma is between $53,390 and $59,721).

Motion Graphic Designer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Motion Graphic Designer 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 Designer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Motion Graphic Designer 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 September 01, 2026
$54,290
Average $63,490/year
$73,290
$4,524
Average $5,291/month
$6,108
$1,044
Average $1,221/week
$1,409
$26
Average $31/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,290 $6,108 $1,409 $35
Average $63,490 $5,291 $1,221 $31
25th Percentile $54,290 $4,524 $1,044 $26

Motion Graphic Designer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Motion Graphic Designer I

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Advancement

For a Motion Graphic Designer 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.

Most common benefits for Motion Graphic Designer I

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

Common company salaries for Motion Graphic Designer I

Here are companies hiring for Motion Graphic Designer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Motion Graphic Designer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Motion Graphic Designer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Motion Graphic Designer I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Is it hard to get a job in motion design?

Building a successful motion design career can be challenging. You need to manage resumes, demo reels, interviews, and networking. However, with preparation, your job search can be smoother. Salaries in this field range from $54,690 to $74,990, with a median of $63,890, reflecting the demand and skill required in motion graphic design.

3. How much money does a motion graphic designer make?

A motion graphic designer typically earns between $54,690 and $74,990 annually, with a median salary of $63,890. This translates to a monthly take-home pay of approximately $4,574 to $6,249, depending on experience and location.

4. How much do motion designers make an hour in the US?

Motion Graphic Designers in the US earn an annual salary ranging from $54,690 to $74,990, with a median salary of $63,890. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $26.30 to $36.00, with the average hourly rate around $30.70. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry.

5. How much does a Motion Designer charge?

A Motion Graphic Designer typically earns between $54,690 and $74,990 annually, with a mid-salary of $63,890. Pricing for services can vary widely; for example, basic flat design may range from ₹21,000 to ₹70,000, while complex animations can exceed ₹3,50,000. Rates depend on project complexity and designer experience.

6. What is the highest paid Graphic Designer?

The salary for a Motion Graphic Designer typically ranges from $54,690 to $74,990, with a mid-salary of $63,890. While other graphic design roles may offer higher salaries, Motion Graphic Designers can expect competitive compensation within this range, reflecting their specialized skills in animation and visual effects.

7. 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 designers earn between $54,690 and $74,990 annually, with a median salary of $63,890. This field offers opportunities for creativity and growth, making it an attractive option for those with technical expertise.

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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