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

Animation Careers in Montana

Overview - There are more than 6,000 artists living in Montana. They work in industries such as fine arts, design, entertainment, and media. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has not determined the number of animators working in Montana, but the state is home to dozens of production studios and an active film office with film credits such as Call of the Wild, Hoot, What Dreams May Come, and Runaway Train. Production activity such as this helps create opportunities for animators interested in working in the film and video industries.

Employment and Salary Trends for Montana Animators

Overall 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, Montana artists overall earned a mean salary of $32,420 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 Montana

Animators with a film and video background may find opportunities at:

• Tipper T. Productions, Bozeman
• Chisel Industries, Bozeman
• Black Dog Films, Bozeman
• Tempest Technologies, Helena
• Moving Pictures Productions, Helena
• Mountain Star Video Productions, Helena

Although positions may be available in many Montana cities, most are available in cities such as Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Missoula, and Helena.  

Montana Animation Training Programs

The state of Montana is home to a number of community and 4-year colleges that offer courses, certificates, or degree programs in game studies, digital studies, animation, video graphics, or related subjects. These include:

• University of Montana, School of Media Arts, Missoula
• Montana State University-Northern, Havre
• Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell

More Animation related programs to consider:  

When searching for animation courses, in addition to exploring the art department of any given college, check with the multi-media, computer science, engineering, and digital studies departments as well.

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

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