Read time: 2.5 minutes

 

These are preliminary results as submissions continue to come in. The survey will run for the summer. It’s 10 anonymous questions for a super high-level snapshot of skill, salary, location, etc. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do so here:

Take the 2023 Motion Designer Industry Survey

Notes:

• At just under 300 submissions, this data is not statistically significant enough to represent the whole industry but it’s a nice snapshot.
• Some submissions were removed where data was not filled out completely.
• Sample sizes that were not statistically significant may not be represented in this round-up.
• All numbers are shown in USD so it’s easier to compare.
• You can view the raw data to see everything.

 

Globally

Average income of entire survey sample: $87,706.84
(Not a very useful number due to wide range of locales)

Highest Earnings reported: $495,000

• Freelancer
• 3D Specialist, AD
• Day rate: $1,500 for C4D, $2,000 for Art Direction
• Location: United States
• White/Caucasian Male

 

US + Canada (164 submissions)

Average total income: $115,983.80

Average Day Rate: $694.91

• Most common day rate: $700

Average Freelancer Income: $123,420.59

Average Salary Income: $95,472.34

• Average “In-House” Income: $99,528.69
• Average Studio Income: $99,696.43

Average Mixed Income (freelance + salary): $129,671.00

Avg By Gender

• Women in the US + Canada (51 submissions) make $99,021.47 on average
• Men in the US + Canada (104 submissions) make $122,185.09 on average

Avg By Specialty

• 2D: $107,064.49
• 3D: $139,169.96
• Generalist: $121,574.07

Avg By Skill Level

• Junior: $75,875.00
• Mid-Level: $87,626.87
• Senior: $131,163.59
• Specialist: $199,437.50

 

Europe (49 submissions)

Highest Earnings Reported: $270,000

• Freelancer
• Senior 2D
• Day rate: no answer
• Location: Spain
• White/Caucasian Male

Average total income: $54,035.33

Average Day Rate: $534.21

• Most common day rate: $500s range

Average Freelancer Income: $57,264.50

Average Salary Income: $43,827.00

Avg By Gender

• Women in the US + Canada (51 submissions) make $39,711.08 on average
• Men in the US + Canada (104 submissions) make $61,862.18 on average

Avg By Specialty

• 2D: $54,158.22
• 3D: $62,166.67
• Generalist: $45,166.67

Avg By Skill Level

• Junior: $13,594.00
• Mid-Level: $41,314.00
• Senior: $67,721.74
• Specialist (1): $100,000.00

 

United Kingdom (28 submissions)

Highest Earnings Reported: $180,000

• Freelancer
• 3D Specialist
• Day rate: $800
• White/Caucasian Male

Average total income: $67,153.59

Average Day Rate: $426.27

• Most common day rate: $400s range

Average Freelancer Income: $70,307.35

Average Salary Income: $56,857.14

Avg By Gender

• Women in the UK (9 submissions) make $63,944.44 on average
• Men in the UK (19 submissions) make $68,758.17 on average

Avg By Specialty

• 2D: $61,816.52
• 3D: $83,000
• Generalist: $100,000

Avg By Skill Level

• Junior: $18,000
• Mid-Level: $61,350
• Senior: $67,972.85
• Specialist (1): $140,000

 

India (15 submissions)

Highest Earnings Reported: $72,000

• Mix of freelance + salary
• Senior 3D artist
• Day rate: not answered
• Indian Male

Average total income: $27,557.50

Average Day Rate: $303.50

• Most common day rate: $300s range

Average Freelancer Income: $32,500.00

Average Salary Income: $12,580.50

Avg By Gender

• Women in India (3 submissions) reported $30,168.33 on average
• Men in India (12 submissions) reported $26,845.45 on average

Avg By Specialty

• 2D: $23,030.50
• 3D: $43,500.500
• Generalist (1): $25,000

Avg By Skill Level

• Junior: $18,000.83
• Mid-Level: $16,266.67
• Senior: $45,800.00

 

Latin America (11 submissions)

Highest Earnings Reported: $228,000

• Salaried employee “in-house” at a company
• Senior 2D artist
• Day rate: not answered
• Location: Mexico
• Hispanic Male

Average total income: $51,009.09

Average Day Rate: $371.67

Average Freelancer Income: $24,442.86

Average Salary Income: $97,500

Avg By Gender

• Women in Latin America (2 submissions) reported $25,500.00 on average
• Men in Latin America (9 submissions) reported $56,677.78 on average

Avg By Specialty

• 2D: $55,277.78
• 3D: no data
• Generalist: $31,800.00

Avg By Skill Level

• Junior: $6,000.00
• Mid-Level: $32,516.7
• Senior: $90,000.00