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Production Artist II Salary in the United States

How much does a Production Artist II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Production Artist II in the United States is $69,550 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a Production Artist II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,248
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,105 to $76,720
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,506
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Production Artist II Salaries

A Production Artist II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Production Artist 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 Production Artist IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,007.
  • California: $76,715.
  • Massachusetts: $75,693.

Top Paying Cities for Production Artist 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: $87,727
  • San Francisco: $86,766
  • Oakland: $84,937

What Skills Can Increase a Production Artist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 6% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • InDesign (Mentioned in 4% Job Postings): nDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books. Projects created using InDesign can be shared in both digital and print formats.
  • Animation (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Computer animation can be very detailed 3D animation, while 2D computer animation can be used for stylistic reasons, low bandwidth or faster real-time renderings. Other common animation methods apply a stop motion technique to two and three-dimensional objects like paper cutouts, puppets or clay figures. Commonly the effect of animation is achieved by a rapid succession of sequential images that minimally differ from each other. The illusion—as in motion pictures in general—is thought to rely on the phi phenomenon and beta movement, but the exact causes are still uncertain. Analog mechanical animation media that rely on the rapid display of sequential images include the phénakisticope, zoetrope, flip book, praxinoscope and film. Television and video are popular electronic animation media that originally were analog and now operate digitally. For display on the computer, techniques like animated GIF and Flash animation were developed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 6%
InDesign 4%
Animation 2%
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 Production Artist II's salary.

  • UX Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Creative Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Digital Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UX Design $79,287
14%
Creative Thinking $77,896
12%
Digital Design $77,896
12%
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Production Artist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Production Artist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,725. While startup companies pay approximate $65,747.

Production Artist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,747
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,535
Established 501~5000 $75,053
Enterprise 5000+ $77,725

Production Artist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Production Artist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Production Artist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Production Artist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Production Artist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$97,370$47.040%
MFG Nondurable$93,892$45.035%
Business Services$90,415$43.030%
Energy & Utilities$86,938$42.025%
Aerospace & Defense$83,460$40.020%

How Education impacts a Production Artist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Production Artist IIs 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 Production Artist II with a No Diploma is between $66,113 and $72,538).

Production Artist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Production Artist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 12.8%
Associates 13.4%
Bachelors 59.3%
Masters 9.6%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

Production Artist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Production Artist 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
$60,105
Average $69,550/year
$76,720
$5,009
Average $5,796/month
$6,393
$1,156
Average $1,338/week
$1,475
$29
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,720 $6,393 $1,475 $37
Average $69,550 $5,796 $1,338 $33
25th Percentile $60,105 $5,009 $1,156 $29

Production Artist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Production Artist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Production Artist II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Art and Design Manager $111,200 60%
Photo/Video Specialist III $87,200 25%

Most common benefits for Production Artist II

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

Common company salaries for Production Artist II

Here are companies hiring for Production Artist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Production Artist II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Production Artist II?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Production Artist II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. How much does music production pay in the US?

The salary for a Production Artist in the US ranges from $64,605 to $85,138 annually, with a median salary of $74,578. This is significantly lower than the earnings of top music producers, who can make up to $400,000 per year. The average salary for music producers is around $168,964 annually.

3. How much do production artists make in Florida?

In Florida, production artists earn between $64,605 and $85,138 annually, with a median salary of $74,578. Entry-level positions typically start at $64,605, while experienced professionals can earn up to $85,138 per year. This reflects a more accurate range for production artist salaries in the state.

4. Does music production pay well?

Music production can offer competitive salaries, with Production Artists earning between $64,605 and $85,138 annually, depending on experience and location. While major labels may pay producers significant advances and royalties, independent artists often pay a flat fee per song, which can range from $200 to $2,000. Overall, the financial rewards can vary widely in the industry.

5. Do production assistants make good money?

Production Artists can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $64,605, a mid-range salary of $74,578, and a maximum of $85,138. This indicates that the profession offers solid financial prospects, especially compared to many entry-level positions in the creative industry.

6. Does film production pay well?

Film production salaries can vary significantly. For a Production Artist, the salary ranges from $64,605 to $85,138, with a median salary of $74,578. This indicates that while entry-level positions may start lower, experienced professionals can earn a competitive wage in the industry.

7. How much do production artists make in Chicago?

In Chicago, Production Artists earn between $64,605 and $85,138 annually, with a median salary of $74,578. This reflects a more accurate range compared to the lower hourly estimates, highlighting the competitive compensation for this role in the city.

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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