Motion Designer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$100,000
national median salary
$73,000 to $136,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $102,030 for Special Effects Artists and Animators (SOC 27-1014) across the United States, based on 19,970 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$58,600
25th percentile
$75,490
Median
$102,030
75th percentile
$139,130
90th percentile
$177,110
Workers surveyed
19,970
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$99,800
May 2025 release
$102,030
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Special Effects Artists and Animators (SOC 27-1014) rather than Motion Designerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 27-1014Highest Paying
$144,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$105,000
Louisville, KY
Lowest Paying
$80,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 27-1014. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Motion Designer salary in the United States at $100,000 in 2026, within a range of $73,000 to $136,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $144,000, while Louisville offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay.
Motion Designer salary by city.
Skills that increase Motion Designer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Motion Designers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,000 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,000 per year
≈ +$7,000 per year
≈ +$5,000 per year
≈ +$5,000 per year
≈ +$4,000 per year
≈ +$4,000 per year
≈ +$4,000 per year
What you should know.
Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay. Motion designers working on product UI animations for tech companies earn significantly more than those focused on marketing videos. Location and industry matter heavily.
Junior Motion Designers earn $68,000 to $78,000. Mid-level professionals with a strong reel reach $85,000 to $100,000. Senior Motion Designers and Creative Directors specializing in motion command $110,000 to $140,000, especially in entertainment or big tech.
Freelance motion designers can charge $75 to $150 per hour, often exceeding salaried equivalents. Full-time roles may include 5 to 10% bonuses, equipment stipends for high-end workstations, and software license coverage.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Motion Designers typically earn $88,000 (12% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Motion Designer pay.
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