How much does a Animators make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Animators
Image that illustrates Animators

Animators

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 Animators

Average salary 47 700 kr
Males 49 000 kr
Females 44 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 29 Vacant jobs ->

What does an animator do? – Tasks and work environment

Animators work on creating moving images for film, games, advertising, and digital media. The profession involves depicting movements and expressions, often using advanced computer programs and digital tools. Tasks vary from designing characters and environments to animating sequences and collaborating with other creatives such as directors, producers, and programmers. The work mainly takes place in studio environments, but remote work and project-based assignments are common, especially within the game and film industries where production pace can be high and deadlines often dictate workload.

Salary development over time

The salary for animators has shown some variation over the past years. In 2022, the average salary was 46,800 SEK per month, followed by a slight decrease to 45 700 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the salary increased again to 47 700 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 4.4% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects a growing demand for digital skills and specialized experience within the industry, especially considering the growth in the gaming and film sectors. Fluctuations can also be explained by project-based employment and many animators working as freelancers. Overall, the trend indicates stabilization and a slight increase for the profession, although salary development may differ depending on employer, region, and education level.

Animator salary – complete 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 differences: Women earn 91% of what men do (men: 49 000 SEK, women: 44 500 SEK)
  • Regional differences: No data available on regional salary differences

Education and qualifications

To work as an animator, post-secondary education in animation, game development, or digital design is usually required. Educational pathways vary and can include art university programs, vocational colleges, or specialized courses. Many animators supplement with self-study and online courses to stay updated with rapid technological development. Internships and a portfolio of work are often crucial for landing the first job in the industry.

  • Post-secondary education: 2–4 years in animation, game development, digital design, or similar
  • Certifications and courses: Software-specific courses (e.g., Maya, Blender, Adobe After Effects)
  • Internship/trainee: Common, often a requirement for employment
  • Prerequisites: Basic artistic skills and digital competence
  • Self-study/online: Highly recommended to broaden the portfolio and stay current

Many animators build their careers by participating in international projects and collaborations, providing opportunities to work with studios and creatives worldwide. The profession is characterized by constant technological development and requires curiosity, flexibility, and a strong interest in visual storytelling.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Animators are often offered flexible working hours, remote work options, and access to modern technology. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, skills development, and sometimes profit sharing or bonuses for major project successes. Benefits may vary depending on employer and project scope.

Competition and challenges

The competition within the animation industry is high, especially for attractive roles in larger studios and international projects. Rapid technological changes require continuous training and adaptability. Many animators work as freelancers, which entails uncertainty regarding assignments and income. The industry is project-oriented, leading to periods of intense work followed by quieter phases. Since portfolios and work samples weigh heavily in recruitment, it’s important to continually develop visual expression and technical skills.

Tips for aspiring animators

To succeed as an animator, combining creativity with technical skills and a strong willingness to learn is beneficial. Curiosity helps in testing new tools and techniques, while precision is crucial for creating convincing and expressive animations. Building a strong portfolio with diverse work samples increases chances of standing out. Collaboration skills are important since many projects are team-based, and good communication helps realize visions with other professionals. Finally, patience and resilience are key, as deadlines and revisions are common in the industry.

Key facts about Animators

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (2–4 years common)
  • Work environment: Studio or remote, project-based work
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 91% of what men do
  • Average salary: 47 700 SEK/month
  • Number of available jobs: 620 within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, an animator can advance to roles such as lead animator, animation director, or specialize in areas like 3D animation, visual effects, or character rigging. There are also opportunities to work as freelancers or consultants with international clients. The Swedish Public Employment Service does not provide a separate assessment for the animator profession, but within the "Designer in games and digital media" category, 620 job openings are reported, indicating strong demand for skills. Future prospects are influenced by ongoing digitalization and the growth of the gaming and film industries, although competition for attractive positions remains high.

Frequently asked questions about Animators

  • What does an animator earn?
    - The average salary for an animator is 47 700 SEK per month.
  • How does the salary difference between men and women look?
    - Men earn an average of 49 000 SEK, women 44 500 SEK, which means women earn 91% of men's salary.
  • What education is required to become an animator?
    - Post-secondary education in animation, game development, or digital design (2–4 years) is most common.
  • What does the job market look like for animators?
    - There are 620 available jobs, but competition for attractive positions is high.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for an animator?
    - Highest salary: 52,300 SEK (men), 44,900 SEK (women). Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK (men), 42,100 SEK (women).
  • What personal qualities are important for an animator?
    - Creativity, precision, teamwork skills, and patience are central qualities.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - No specific data on regional differences is available.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 15:03:57

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Animators 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 Animators 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
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Animators has the SSYK code 2173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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