Image that illustrates Animator

Animator

47 700 kr

Designers in games and digital media

41 600 - 52 300 kr / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Animator

Average salary 47 700 kr
Males 49 000 kr
Females 44 500 kr

What does an Animator do? – Tasks and work environment

An Animator works on creating movement and life in digital figures, objects, and environments, often within games, films, advertising, or digital media. Tasks include developing visual concepts, creating motion sketches, working with 2D and 3D software, and collaborating with designers, directors, and programmers. The environment is typically office-based and team-oriented, where deadlines and creative problem-solving are a natural part of daily work. Animators can work at larger studios or smaller agencies, and workflows are often project-based with varying intensity.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salary development for Animators has shown some variation. In 2022, the average salary was 46,800 SEK, which decreased slightly to 45 700 SEK in 2023. Subsequently, the salary recovered and increased to 47 700 SEK in 2024. Overall, this represents a growth of approximately 2% from 2022 to 2024, after a temporary decline the previous year. Salary variations can partly be explained by changes in demand for digital skills, increased technical requirements in the industry, and ongoing digitalization within media and game development. The relatively high average salary also reflects the specialized skills in demand, while competition for qualified Animators remains noticeable in larger regions and companies.

Animator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 47 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (men), 42,100 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 52,300 SEK/month (men), 44,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 287 SEK
  • Gender gap: Women earn 91% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Larger studios and companies in major cities often offer higher salaries

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming an Animator often involves post-secondary education in game development, digital design, or animation, usually at university or vocational college. In addition to formal education, a strong visual sense, technical skills in relevant software, and the ability to work in teams are required. Practical experience, such as through internships or portfolio projects, is crucial to enhance employability.

  • Formal degree: Post-secondary education (2–4 years) in animation, digital design, or game development
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in 2D/3D software such as Maya, Blender, or Adobe After Effects
  • Internship/trainee: Common in education, often a requirement to build a portfolio
  • Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of images, colors, and shapes, as well as computer literacy
  • Self-study/online: Many supplement with online courses to stay updated on new tools

Many Animators work in international teams, where English is the working language and projects can span multiple time zones. This opens doors to global collaborations and opportunities to work with leading brands and studios worldwide.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

For Animators, it is common to be offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work, and opportunities for skill development through courses and conferences. Pension schemes and insurance are often included in the employment package, especially with larger employers in the gaming and media industries.

Competition and challenges

The competition for attractive Animator positions is high, especially at larger studios and companies in metropolitan regions. Rapid technological development requires continuous skills upgrading and adaptation to new tools and workflows. Creativity and the ability to work under pressure are important factors, and the job market is influenced by economic cycles and project-based employment. The industry is also global, meaning competition from international talents and outsourcing. For those aiming to advance, both technical expertise and good collaboration skills are necessary.

Tips for aspiring Animators

To succeed as an Animator, it is good to combine technical curiosity with a strong visual sense and perseverance. Building a broad and updated portfolio demonstrates both creativity and the ability to complete projects, which is crucial in the selection process. Collaboration skills are important, as most productions are team-based where clear and solution-focused communication is needed. Taking advantage of internships or trainee positions provides valuable industry contacts and practical experience. Flexibility and a willingness to continuously learn new tools and techniques increase your chances of standing out. Analytical skills help with problem-solving and efficient workflows, while patience is necessary for managing long and intensive project periods.

Key facts about Animator

  • Educational level: Post-secondary education (2–4 years)
  • Work environment: Office-based, often project- and team-oriented
  • Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes freelance or project-based
  • Demand: 620 job openings in the field
  • Gender distribution: Men have higher salaries, women earn 91% of men's level

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an Animator, there are opportunities to develop into roles such as Lead Animator, Art Director, or project manager within digital media and game development. Some choose to specialize in areas like character animation, VFX, or technical animation. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service forecasts, it is difficult to give an exact assessment of future prospects for specific Animator roles, as the profession is part of a broader occupational group with limited data. Nonetheless, the number of job openings indicates continued demand, especially in gaming and digital media. The industry’s international character and technological development suggest good opportunities for engaged and up-to-date professionals.

Common questions about Animators

  • What does an Animator earn?
    - An Animator has an average salary of 47 700 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and region.
  • What education is required to become an Animator?
    - Post-secondary education in animation, digital design, or game development (2–4 years) is most common.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 91% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the job market like for Animators?
    - There are 620 job openings in the field, but competition is high, especially at larger studios.
  • What personal qualities are important for an Animator?
    - Creativity, technical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving ability are especially important.
  • Can Animators work internationally?
    - Yes, many projects are international, and English is often the working language.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Animator is 52300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Private sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 44900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Animator is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 42100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 86% 45100 kr 45300 kr
35-44 93% 54100 kr 54400 kr
45-54 57800 kr 58200 kr
Snitt 91% 47500 kr 47700 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Animator has the SSYK code 2173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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