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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Game Animator in California is $80,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Game Animator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Game Animator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $89,940 | $7,495 | $1,730 | $43 |
| Average | $80,330 | $6,694 | $1,545 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,705 | $6,225 | $1,437 | $36 |
Irondale Post Acute - DENVER, CO
Autto - SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Southwest CARE Center - SANTA FE, NM
Community Healthcare Partners - GRAND ISLAND, NE
A Game Animator'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Game Animator'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| CAD Draft... Level Game Animator | $71,584 |
| Game Anim... Level Game Animator | $81,501 |
| CAD Draft... Level Game Animator | $98,680 |
| CAD Draft... Level Game Animator | $127,527 |
| CAD Draft... Level Game Animator | $149,419 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Game Animators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Game Animator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Game Animator positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Game Animator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $108,445 | $52.0 | 35% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $104,428 | $50.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $100,412 | $48.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $96,395 | $46.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $96,395 | $46.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Game Animator'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $89,940 | $7,495 | $1,730 | $43 |
| Average | $80,330 | $6,694 | $1,545 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,705 | $6,225 | $1,437 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Game Animator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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