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

Animation Careers in Idaho

Overview - The state of Idaho has a small film office, but it still attracts a fair number of animators interested in film and video production. Animators with a film background can expect a number of productions to roll through the state each year, bringing opportunities to work in the areas of production, post-production, and advertising & promotions. Advertising & promotion animators may have opportunities to work on, trailers, marketing, and other areas associated with film and video productions.

Film and video animators have a handful of production studios to choose from such as Omni Studios in Boise and Ziccardi Productions in Blackfoot Idaho. Although animation jobs can be found all over the state of Idaho, most can be found in principle cities such as Boise City, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello.

Animators interested in computer design and technology may find employment opportunities at 300 technology firms located throughout the state. Animators interested in teaching can choose from more than a dozen colleges and universities throughout the state, 764 elementary and secondary institutions, and more than 25 community colleges, technical schools, art schools, and specialty schools. 

Employment and Salary Trends for Idaho Animators

As of 2009, an undetermined number of animators resided in Idaho. 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, the U.S. Census Bureau determined that any animators working in the state of Idaho earned a mean salary of $49,230 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 Idaho

Aspiring animators interested in working in the film and video industries may find employment at the following Idaho animation studios:

• SOVRN Creative, Boise
• Pixel Fish Studios, Boise
• Digital Barn Productions, Lewiston
• Omni Studios, Boise
• Ziccardi Productions, Blackfoot

Animators with an advertising background may find opportunities at The Agency Creative Network in Boise and Almost Live Productions in Boise, as well as :

• Peppershock Media, Nampa
• Marz Innovations, Meridian
• Blue541, Coeur d'Alene
• Curious Media, Nampa
• Motive Media, Boise

Idaho Animation Training Programs

Idaho has a number of schools that offer animation programs or a concentration in animation. These include:

• University of Idaho, Moscow
• Brigham Young, Boise City
• ITT Technical Institute, Rexburg

More Animation related programs to consider:  

To get started on a career in animation, you can begin by choosing one of the following degree programs:

• 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 selecting a program, choose the best school for your program, pocketbook, and goals, then apply for admission online.

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

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