Animators are certainly not required to have a college degree, but it is strongly advised if you want a good-paying job in the field. This is because most employers want to work with candidates who have some formal education in the industry. That doesn’t necessarily equate to an animation degree.

Besides, What degree do you need to be an animator at Disney?

According to the company website, for animators, WDAS is looking for a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Animation or related field or equivalent work experience. The company is looking for a range of experience, but you should have at least 2 years computer animation experience with Maya or a similar program.

Keeping this in mind, How many years of college do you need to be an animator? How many years does it take to get an animation degree? It takes four years to complete a typical animation program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer programs that allow students to complete their degree in three years by limiting the number of required courses outside of the core animation curriculum.

Is a degree in animation worth it?

Is a Degree in Animation Worth It? Yes, an animation degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 4% job growth for artists and animators over the next 10 years. … Getting a bachelors degree in animation may allow you to work in a creative field with a variety of career options.

Do animators get paid well?

BLS data lists the 2017 median pay for animators at $70,530 a year. Glassdoor has the national average a bit higher at $74,000. Like many other fields, compensation for animators also depends on experience: it’s not uncommon for senior-level animators or art directors to earn well into six figures.

How hard is it to become an animator at Disney?

It’s a very hard process — the board artists need to be able to write dialogue, know story, draw, stage, act, and more. Basically they need to be incredibly talented.

Where do you go to college to be a Disney animator?

The University of Central Florida is located in proximity to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, giving students ample opportunities for internships and work experience that allows them to gain hands-on experience while studying animation.

How much do Walt Disney animators make?

Salary Ranges for Disney Animators

The salaries of Disney Animators in the US range from $33,131 to $751,397 , with a median salary of $158,879 . The middle 57% of Disney Animators makes between $158,890 and $356,338, with the top 86% making $751,397.

Is animation a good career?

Animation is a satisfying and lucrative profession and is attracting youngsters in droves towards it. Professionals new to this industry generally work in the capacity of junior animators in animation studios and production houses. The starting pay package of these animators can be in a range or Rs. 10,000 to Rs.

Can I animate if I can’t draw?

You need to have an educated eye to look at the drawings and use animation software logically. While it is true that you will need to study drawing to be a successful animator, the other half of the truth is that if you can draw a stick man, you can still learn animation.

Is animation hard to get into?

Pick another career – Working in the field of animation is very hard. Everyone wants to be a character animator, rather than do all of the other nitty gritty work necessary to make an animation. … Bare in mind 90% of character animators do it for 10 years. So studios only hire for 10% of their character animation team.

What jobs can you get with a degree in animation?


Career Options for Animation Majors

  • Filmmaking. Animators can work in the filmmaking industry to produce visual effects and images for different forms of media, including movies, television, video games, among others.
  • Animator. …
  • Graphic Designer. …
  • Illustrator. …
  • Web Designer. …
  • Games Developer. …
  • VFX Artists.

Is animation a bad career choice?

A career in animation is one of the most lucrative and most-sought-after courses these days. With attractive salaries and the personal freedom it offers, a career in animation could be the right choice for you. Both movies, video games, and other forms of media use computer animation.

Where do animators get paid the most?


The highest paying states for multimedia artists and animators are as follows:

  • California – $82,170 per year.
  • Washington – $75,740.
  • Massachusetts – $73,470.
  • New York – $70,660.
  • Idaho – $69,450.
  • District of Columbia – $69,140.
  • Illinois – $68,830.
  • Alabama – $67,260.

Who is the highest paid animator?


The World’s Richest Cartoonists

  1. Walt Disney – $5 Billion.
  2. Trey Parker and Matt Stone – $800 Million.
  3. Matt Groening – $500 Million. …
  4. Hanna-Barbera – $300 Million.
  5. John Lasseter – $100 Million. …
  6. Stephen Hillenburg – $90 Million. …
  7. Tim Burton – $80 Million.
  8. Mike Judge – $75 Million.

Does Disney still hire animators?

Regardless of where you live in the world, Walt Disney Animation Studios is interested in your skills and talent. Our studio currently employs talented people from around the globe.

How hard is it to get a job in animation?

It’s difficult to get a job in animation at a large film studio, game company, or visual effects studio. … Getting a college degree isn’t required to work in most animation jobs, although a good education will provide a solid foundation in art and help you build a portfolio.

Is working as a Disney animator fun?

Working at Disney Animation is fun, fast-paced, and the artists get along really well and feed each other’s creative juices. You get to work with your peers and learn from each other. Everyone is there to make the best possible film.

Where does Disney hire animators from?

Two Vibrant Locations,

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios through opportunities in Burbank and our newly announced studio in Vancouver!

Does Disney have an art school?

The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is a private art school located in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, founded by Walt Disney in 1961.

Does Disney have an animation program?

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Talent Development program has a rich legacy, which began in 1971, when Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men” set out to create a unique opportunity to train next-generation artists under the guidance and mentorship of Disney Animation legends.

How much do Disney 3D animators get paid?

How does the salary as a 3D Animator at Walt Disney Company compare with the base salary range for this job? The average salary for a 3D Animator is $67,989 per year in United States, which is 17% lower than the average Walt Disney Company salary of $82,176 per year for this job.

Are Disney animators underpaid?

For more prestigious jobs like at Disney, they can make $116,000-$125,000 a year, according to their official job site. … New animators are even more likely to be underpaid, with the average inbetweener (the person that makes the key frames flow together) making around $10,000 a year, less than $900 a month.

Do animators make good money?

BLS data lists the 2017 median pay for animators at $70,530 a year. Glassdoor has the national average a bit higher at $74,000. Like many other fields, compensation for animators also depends on experience: it’s not uncommon for senior-level animators or art directors to earn well into six figures.