Creative pay 2026
Motion designer salary in California (2026)
Motion designers and animators in California earn a median $130,540 a year ($62.76 an hour), according to BLS wage data for May 2025. That is 28% more than the US median of $102,030, and 2nd-highest of 31 states with published figures. It is 2.2 times the median for all jobs in California.
- $130,540median a year in California
- $62.76median an hour
- +28%vs the US median ($102,030)
- 7,410employee jobs (BLS estimate)
What is the salary range for a motion designer in California?
Half of motion designers and animators in California earn between $99,280 and $164,800. The gap between the top and bottom 10% (2.9 times) is about the national spread.
| 10th percentile | $71,710 | $58,600 | $34.48 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $99,280 | $75,490 | $47.73 |
| Median | $130,540 | $102,030 | $62.76 |
| 75th | $164,800 | $139,130 | $79.23 |
| 90th percentile | $206,160 | $177,110 | $99.11 |
The mean (average) is $134,360, above the median, pulled up by the highest earners.
How does California compare with other states?
California is in the top five for motion designers and animators' pay. Only Washington pays more.
| Arizona | $89,650 | −31% | 190 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $97,350 | −25% | 370 |
Which cities in California pay motion designers and animators best?
Of the 6 metro areas in California where BLS publishes a median for the job, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara pays most, at $156,950, 20% above the state median.
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,650 | $124,590 | $59.90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,440 | $136,770 | $65.76 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 510 | $156,950 | $75.46 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 100 | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 70 | $122,880 | $59.08 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 40 | $95,420 | $45.88 |
How many motion designers and animators work in California?
BLS estimates 7,410 employee jobs, 0.41 in every 1,000 jobs in the state. The job is concentrated here: California's share of employment in it is 3.17 times the national share (BLS's location quotient).
Employees only. BLS does not count the self-employed, who are a large share of several creative jobs.
What do other creative jobs pay in California?
1 of the 6 other creative jobs below pay a higher median in California.
| UX/UI designer | $136,110 | 27,090 |
|---|---|---|
| Videographer | $106,900 | 4,700 |
| Video editor | $88,490 | 8,110 |
| Copywriter | $86,480 | 8,390 |
| Graphic designer | $75,130 | 27,390 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | 7,980 |
What do freelance motion designers and animators charge?
Upwork, motion graphics designers list $18 to $35 an hour, worldwide. California's employee median of $62.76 an hour is above that range, and a freelancer also has to cover unpaid hours, kit and tax. The rate calculator works out an hourly rate from the salary you want.
Questions
What is the average motion designer salary in California?
The median is $130,540 a year and the mean is $134,360, from BLS data for May 2025 covering about 7,410 employee jobs.
How much does a motion designer make an hour in California?
The median hourly wage is $62.76. The bottom 10% earn under $34.48 and the top 10% over $99.11.
What does a starting motion designer earn in California?
BLS does not publish pay by experience. The lowest-paid quarter of motion designers and animators in California earn under $99,280 a year and the lowest-paid tenth under $71,710, which is the nearest guide to starting pay.
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Where do these numbers come from?
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (published 15 May 2026). Occupation 27-1014, Special Effects Artists and Animators. Employees only; annual figures are hourly times 2,080.
n = 7,410 jobs in the California estimate. Last updated 2 October 2026.
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Motion designer pay in other states
- Washington $133,480
- Nevada $97,350
- New York $96,770
- North Carolina $88,350
- Utah $88,210
- Florida $85,870
- Virginia $81,510
- Georgia $81,390
- Illinois $81,180
- Indiana $75,250
- Pennsylvania $71,760