Animator Salary in India: A Comprehensive Guide
Animation is one of the growing industries in India. Students interested to pursue this profession may wish to know the salary of animator in India. Let us read about it below in this article.
Animator Salary in India
The salary of an animator in India depends on several factors. The experience of the candidate may help them land at the salaries they never thought about. It is also dependent upon the location and specialization. This article explores the factors that affect the salary of animators in India. The details about the salary of an animator provided here are based on data from the different job portals in India, such as Naukri.com, Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
- 2D and 3D Animator Salary in India
- Freelance Animator Income: Is it Profitable?
- Average Animator Salary in India
- Animator Salary Based on Experience
- Animator Salary Based on Specialization
- Animator Salary Based on Location
- Animator Salary in Different Industries
- Freelance Animator Salary in India
- Factors Affecting Animator Salary in India
- Skills to Boost Your Animation Salary
2D and 3D Animator Salary in India
Based on the trends in India, a 2D animator earns lower salary than a 3D animator. The 3D animation need advanced skills and 2D Animators can get work in TV shows, web content, educational videos, or advertising; 3D animators are in high demand for films, OTT, gaming, architecture, or advertising.
Freelance Animator Income: Is it Profitable?
Freelancing has become a popular choice among animators who wish to lead a flexible life and enjoy global opportunities. Freelance income is also flexible, unlike fixed income in studios. Some of the popular options for getting freelancing work are UpWork, Fiverr, Freelancer for International clients and other options are LinkedIn, Instagram, for getting clients through direct networking.
Average Animator Salary in India
The average earning of an animator in India ranges between INR 2.5 lakhs and INR 7 lakhs per year for entry to mid-level professionals. As animators gain experience and develop advanced skills, they can expect higher salaries.
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Animator Salary Based on Experience
Experience plays a major role in determining an animator's salary. The salaries of animators at different levels of experience are mentioned below-
| Entry-Level Animators (0-2 years of experience) | INR 2.5 to INR 4 lakhs per annum |
| Mid-Level Animators (3-5 years of experience) | INR 4 to INR 7 lakhs per annum |
| Senior Animators (6-10 years of experience) | INR 7 to INR 12 lakhs per annum |
| Lead or Chief Animators (10+ years of experience) | INR 12 to INR 20 lakhs per annum or more, depending on the project scale and company. |
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- Top Animation Entrance Exams
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- MSc in Multimedia and Animation
Animator Salary Based on Specialization
Different animation specializations can lead to varying salary brackets. Some of the most popular animation fields include the following-
| Specialization | Features | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Animators |
These professionals work primarily in traditional animation or digital 2D platforms. The salary for 2D animators ranges between INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs annually for mid-level professionals. | The salary they earn will depend on their level of expertise in 2D animation. |
| 3D Animators |
3D animation is highly sought after in industries like film, gaming, and advertising. |
3D animators generally earn between INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs annually. |
| VFX Artists |
Visual effects (VFX) is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India. | Salaries for VFX artists range between INR 4 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs, with senior professionals earning significantly more. |
| Character Animators |
Specialists in character animation, especially in game development or movie production. | Animators can expect the salaries between INR 5 lakhs and INR 10 lakhs annually. |
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- 2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier?
- Animation Course Salary [2024 Guide]
- Difference Between Animation and VFX
Animator Salary Based on Location
The city in which an animator is employed also affects their salary. Below is a look at the average salary range based on major Indian cities:
| Mumbai | INR 4 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs per annum |
| Bengaluru | INR 4.5 lakhs to INR 9 lakhs per annum |
| Hyderabad | INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs per annum |
| Delhi | INR 3.5 lakhs to INR 7.5 lakhs per annum |
| Pune | INR 3 lakhs to INR 6.5 lakhs per annum |
Animator Salary in Different Industries
Animators can find employment in various industries, the primary industries that hire animators in India include the following:
| Film and Television | INR 4 lakhs to INR 10 lakhs per annum |
| Video Game Industry | INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs per annum |
| Advertising | INR 3.5 lakhs to INR 7.5 lakhs per annum |
| E-learning and Education | INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs per annum |
| Media and Entertainment Studios | INR 4 lakhs to INR 9 lakhs per annum |
Also Read:
- Difference Between Mass Communication and Animation
- 5 Best Countries to Study Animation
- Animation Courses After 10th
- Diploma in Animation After 10th
Freelance Animator Salary in India
Freelancing is a popular career choice for many animators. It offers flexibility, and freelance animators can charge anywhere between INR 500 to INR 2,000 per hour.
Factors Affecting Animator Salary in India
Several factors contribute to the animator salaries. The skills and the quality of the portfolio affect the kind of work animators may get. The size of company and reputation is another factor and the institute from which the aspirant has gained the certificate also decides the salary of the candidate.
Skills to Boost Your Animation Salary
At some point in time, the earnings of animators may become stable; so keep adding skills to the portfolio as follows-
- Learning new industry-standard software
- Rigging and Character Animation
- Concept Art Skills and Storyboarding
- VFX and Motion Graphics Knowledge
- 3D Modeling and Texturing
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