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Animator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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An 7513428animator7.38animation5.88animal3.71art2.623d animator2.3535132492777.2524.0562.30HOURLY10872702025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Animator is responsible for creating a series of images known as frames, to simulate movement. Their duties include working with creative professionals including storytellers, designers and voice actors to produce films, video games or graphics for commercials and other forms of TV entertainment.

Animator Duties and Responsibilities

An animator needs to be able to carry out certain tasks to excel at their job. These duties and responsibilities include:

  • Conceptualizing ideas for characters, scenes, backgrounds and other animation elements
  • Creating character sketches for new animations based on design briefs
  • Developing storyboards for animation projects
  • Designing backgrounds, sets and other elements of the animated environment
  • Developing timing and pacing of motion, based on audio requirements
  • Working with the story editors to merge the various layers of animation
  • Recording dialogue for the animation, where necessary
  • Collaborating with other creatives including designers, photographers and other animators to finalize projects

Hire your next Animator today.

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Hire your next Animator today.

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Animator Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Job Description Best Practices
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What Does an 7513428animator7.38animation5.88animal3.71art2.623d animator2.3535132492777.2524.0562.30HOURLY10872702025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Animator Do?

Animators oversee the creation of two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) or computer-generated images within the entertainment, gaming and advertising industries. They typically draw the images by hand or use computer software for their creations. Throughout the process, they collaborate with other animators, get advice from senior animators and use feedback from clients to further evolve their projects. An Animator’s day-to-day responsibilities often involve working on a team to complete assigned graphic elements with the goal of meeting project deadlines.

Animator Skills and Qualifications

A successful Animator candidate will have the following prerequisite skills and qualifications:

  • Excellent creativity and originality
  • Superior graphic design skills
  • Superior knowledge of the 12 principles of animation such as staging, timing, ease in, ease out and anticipation
  • Proficiency in the use of design and animation software
  • In-depth understanding of mathematical and geometric concepts
  • Knowledge of color theory
  • Great attention to detail
  • Ability to work in large teams

Animator Salary Expectations

Salary depends on whether you are mainly focusing on 2D or 3D animated projects. A 2D animator salary is about $20.66 per hour while a 3D animator can make about $17.44 per hour. Salary will vary depending on education, experience and if the position is full or part-time.

Animator Salary Expectations

2025-09-017.2524.0562.30HOURLY
  • Common salary: 24.05 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 62.30 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-09-01

Animator Education and Training Requirements

Typically, becoming an Animator requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation or any related discipline. These courses will offer modules in visual effects, drawing and illustration, modeling and rendering and lighting. However, it’s not unusual for Animators to hold only an Associate’s degree. Postgraduate degrees in film animation or web publishing are also useful, depending on the area of specialization.

Animator Experience Requirements

A qualified Animator candidate will have a minimum of one year’s experience in the field. They should be familiar with conceptualizing characters from the ideation phase to sketching, into the final creation. Animators should be comfortable working with computer graphics tools, and using them to create storyboards for animation projects. An experienced animator should have a proven record of delivering artistic work to client specifications and within the required timelines.

Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

If an 7513428animator7.38animation5.88animal3.71art2.623d animator2.3535132492777.2524.0562.30HOURLY10872702025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Animator isn’t the position you’re looking for, these similar jobs may be what you’re looking for:

Job Description Best Practices
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Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Frequently asked questions about Animators

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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