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

Animation Careers in Mississippi

Overview - Mississippi animators work in production, advertising and marketing, and at more than 100 computer design firms in the state. Many animators also work in secondary and post-secondary education. In addition to a variety of industries to choose from, benefits for Mississippi animators include:

• The Mississippi Film Office—a full service organization
• Mississippi Film Studios at Canton
• Incentives for Filmmakers, which attracts many production and post-production companies
• University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg

Although Mississippi does not employ as many full-time animators as larger states across the nation, the state offers many opportunities for freelance animators and independent contractors.

Employment and Salary Trends for Mississippi Animators

As of 2009, 40 full-time animators worked in production studios, advertising  agencies, academic institutions, and computer design firms throughout the state of Mississippi. 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 Mississippi earned a mean salary of $42,070 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 Mississippi

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

• Loft 54, Ridgeland
• Optik Studios, Meridian
• Digital Concepts, Biloxi
• Friendly Spider, Luka
• Engineering Services & Software (ESS Interactive), Ocean Springs
• Brainstorm Creative Group, Meridian
• BICE Advertising, Hattiesburg

Although animation positions can be found in many cities throughout the state, most are located in Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi.

Mississippi Animation Training Programs

Mississippi is home to 40 colleges and universities. A number of Mississippi 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:

• Antonelli College, Jackson
• Belhaven University, Jackson
• University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
• Hinds Community College, Utica
• Virginia College, Jackson (computer software and media applications)

More Animation related programs to consider:  

To get started on a career in animation, the first step is to choose 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, you can move on to selecting a school, and applying for admission. 

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

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