Alabama Animation Careers: Employment & Salary Trends, Job Opportunities, & Colleges Offering Animation Programs in Alabama

Animation Careers in Alabama

Overview - Alabama animators can be found working in production, advertising and marketing, and at more than 200 computer design firms in the state. Many animators also work in education in secondary and post-secondary settings.

In addition to a variety of industries to choose from, benefits for Alabama animators include:

• The Alabama Film Office—a full service organization
• Incentives for Filmmakers, which attracts many production and post-production companies
• The Alabama Art Education Association (AAEE)
• Virginia College at Huntsville Animation Program

Most art and animation programs offered at Alabama colleges are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). In addition to offering degrees in animation, multi-media art, or computer science with a focus in animation, a number of Alabama colleges also offer animation certificates, enrichment courses, or other non-degree animation programs.

Employment and Salary Trends for Alabama Animators

As of 2009, nearly 100 animators worked in production studios, advertising  agencies, academic institutions, and computer design firms throughout the state of Alabama. Across the nation, employment in the animation (and multi-media) industry is expected to grow by 14 percent for the 2008-2018 decade. This is higher than all occupations in the “artists and related workers” industry. At 12 percent, art directors are second in employment growth, followed by fine artists at 9 percent.

As of May 2009, the mean annual wage for animators overall was $62,810 per year. The lowest paid animators earned $32,360 per year and the highest paid animators earned $99,130 per year. As of May 2009, animators in the state of Alabama earned a mean salary of $42,180 per year.

The highest paying states for animators are:

• California ($76,010 per year)
• Maryland ($66,850 per year)
• Washington  ($64,840 per year)
• New York ($62,150 per year)

Animation Career Opportunities in Alabama

Aspiring animators living in Alabama may find employment opportunities at the following companies:

• QinetiQ, Huntsville
• Bit Trap Studios, Huntsville
• Intermark Group, Birmingham
• LWT Communications, Montgomery
• COLSA Corporation, Huntsville
• Northrop Grumman, Huntsville

Although animation positions can be found in many cities throughout the state, most are located in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa.

Alabama Animation Training Programs

Alabama is home to 72 Colleges and Universities. A number of Alabama colleges offer bachelor degree programs, while a larger number offer an associates in animation, animation certificates, and animation courses only. Animation degree programs are offered at:

• Virginia College Animation Program, Huntsville
• ITT Technical Institute, Bessemer
• Calhoun Community College, Decatur and Huntsville

More Animation related programs to consider:  

To get started on a career in animation, the first step is to a degree program. The options are:

• Animation
• Multi-media art
• Computer science with a focus in animation or multi-media art
• Fine art with a focus in animation
• Advertising with a focus in animation

After choosing a degree path, all you have to do is select a school and apply. 

SOURCE: May 2009 BLS State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates,

2008-18. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm