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Also called 3d animator, animator, cartoon animator and technical animator.
$102,030
Median pay a year
19,970
People do this work
6
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Pay and headcount are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lines are written from what the US Department of Labor records about this work.
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A Special Effects Artist and Animator resume, filled in
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Special Effects Artist and Animator
Summary
Special effects artist and animator creating complex graphics and animations for multimedia projects, utilizing computer software to design lifelike characters and objects in motion
Experience
Special Effects Artist and Animator
Where you worked
Month Year to Month Year
Designed complex graphics and animation using independent judgment and computer equipment
Created two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion using computer animation programs
Participated in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling
Applied story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to create storyboards for animation
Made objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, and shadow
Scriped, planned, and created animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines using computer software
Converted real objects to animated objects through modeling techniques such as optical scanning
Skills
Core Skills
Creating computer graphics or animation, Drawing technical illustrations, Preparing production storyboards, Preparing film for distribution, Assembling equipment components, Operating photographic developing equipment, Converting data between formats, Maintaining computer equipment, Adobe After Effects, Developing commercial purposes, Maintaining equipment or systems
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Designed complex graphics and animationsCreated basic designs for product labelsParticipated in multimedia campaign productionCreated two-dimensional and three-dimensional imagesManipulated light and color for lifelike effectsScripted and planned animated narrative sequences
becomes
On your resume
Designed complex graphics and animations for various multimedia projects, enhancing visual appeal and engagement.
Participated in the production of multimedia campaigns, managing aspects of budgeting and scheduling to ensure timely delivery.
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The line
Created complex graphics and animations for several projects each month, boosting visual appeal and engagement
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Several projects each monthMultiple projects at once
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Show what improved because you managed budgeting and scheduling.
The line
Participated in the production of multimedia campaigns, managing aspects of budgeting and scheduling to ensure timely delivery.
Show what improved because you managed budgeting and scheduling.
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Reduced costs for the campaignsImproved team coordination and workflow
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What it is made of
Skills for a Special Effects Artist and Animator resume
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What are you good at?
Creating computer graphics or animation
Drawing technical illustrations
Developing commercial purposes
Preparing production storyboards
Preparing film for distribution
Assembling equipment components
Operating photographic developing equipment
Converting data between formats
Maintaining equipment or systems
Maintaining computer equipment
The work itself
What a Special Effects Artist and Animator does
The public record of what this job is, in one paragraph.
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
What it pays
How much does a Special Effects Artist and Animator make?
Annual pay across the United States. The middle figure is the median: half earn less than that, and half earn more.
25th percentile
$75,490
Median
$102,030
75th percentile
$139,130
About 19,970 people do this work in the United States.
What it pays in each state
State
25th percentile
Median
75th percentile
AZ
$65,810
$89,650
$100,230
CA
$99,280
$130,540
$164,800
CO
$77,570
$91,290
$105,120
FL
$81,730
$85,870
$104,410
GA
$58,480
$81,390
$96,200
IA
$42,580
$47,530
$60,980
IL
$67,230
$81,180
$108,640
IN
$54,640
$75,250
$93,090
KS
$59,000
$62,720
$85,040
KY
$45,490
$50,970
$73,990
MA
$63,090
$80,640
$98,370
MD
$57,520
$85,830
$96,640
MI
$68,590
$86,630
$121,830
MN
$64,980
$64,990
$69,960
MO
$59,160
$65,470
$77,570
NC
$62,530
$88,350
$105,260
NE
$43,340
$50,830
$77,330
NM
$52,790
$54,000
$54,010
NV
$77,420
$97,350
$105,920
NY
$76,420
$96,770
$136,840
OH
$62,160
$67,000
$156,170
OK
$52,920
$66,980
$69,560
PA
$57,490
$71,760
$93,410
RI
$48,640
$80,040
$84,510
TN
$66,070
$83,080
$101,530
TX
$62,460
$78,930
$121,960
UT
$60,590
$88,210
$126,770
VA
$66,920
$81,510
$110,180
WA
$100,550
$133,480
$174,990
WI
$56,670
$64,890
$91,050
WV
$50,860
$60,940
$61,270
Other names
Other names for this job
3d animator, animator, cartoon animator, technical animator, three dimensional animator, video game animator, 3d artist, 3d designer, 3d modeler, 3d specialist, animation artist, animation producer.
More names for this work
anime artist, anime designer, artist, cartoon artist, civil 3d designer, civil three dimensional designer, computer artist, computer graphic artist, computer graphic designer, computer graphics illustrator, concept artist, content producer, creative designer, digital artist, digital content producer, digital designer, digital experience designer, digital media designer, digital media specialist, effects artist, environment artist, fx artist, game artist, game developer, graphic artist, graphic design specialist, graphics specialist, interaction designer, interactive designer, interactive digital media specialist, media designer, media producer, media specialist, motion designer, motion graphics artist, motion graphics designer, motion pictures cartoonist, multimedia artist, multimedia author, multimedia authoring specialist, multimedia designer, multimedia developer, multimedia graphic designer, multimedia producer, multimedia specialist, multimedia technician, production artist, special effects artist.
If you served
Military jobs this work counts as
From the crosswalk the US Department of Labor publishes itself. If one of these was your job, this page is about the civilian work it maps to.
A26A Graphic Illustrator Apprentice
4513 Advanced Visual Information-Graphics Marine
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This page is about the occupation Special Effects Artists and Animators. What this job involves and what it is made of come from O*NET 30.3, the US Department of Labor's occupation database, refreshed July 2026; Rung writes those records into the plain sentences you see. Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS release for 2025. Rung is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either agency. How Rung handles accuracy is on the accuracy page, and the full data credits are on the credits page.