Life in 3-D: Computer Animation Careers That Bring in 6 Figures

By Judi Sandall

Play Video Games and Make Money: Computer Animation Salary Information

To make 6 or 7 figures in a computer animation and 3D career, you probably need to develop a video game that hits big, like The Sims creator Will Wright; work your way up at an established video game production house, like Nintendo; or art direct a few major motion pictures. With the right combination of artistic talent, technical expertise and well-connected networking, this can happen.

Yet, even if you don't become a millionaire working in computer animation and 3D, you can make a good living. According to computer animation salary information reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2009, computer animators and 3D artists made an average annual salary of $62,810. Early career animators made about $32,360, while the highest paid computer animation and 3D artists made about $99,130.

In other good news: due to increased demand for video game designers and mobile application technologies, computer animators, multimedia and 3D artists should see job growth of about 14 percent through 2018.

Online Computer Animation Classes: Is School Necessary?

In order to be competitive as a computer animator, you need artistic talent, expertise in graphics and animation software, and usually, formal education. Most employers prefer a bachelor's degree. In markets like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, a Master's degree helps. With an eye-catching portfolio and engaging reel, online computer animation classes can be enough to convince employers of your commitment.

To be sure, achieving success as an animator is about more than diplomas, portfolios, and video animation reel. The ability to collaborate with and create for a broad range of people--including artists, businessmen, and audiences--is essential for achieving the highest levels of success. "What I love most about animation is it's a team sport," says Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, "and everything we do is about pure imagination."