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

Animation Careers in Nebraska

Overview - The state of Nebraska has a lot to offer aspiring animators. The state is home to several dozen production companies and animation studios, several colleges that offer instruction in animation, and an active film commission that encourages film and video production through contests, education, and tax incentives.

While Nebraska animators can be found working primarily in the film and video industry, some also work in education and the technology industry. Nebraska has more than 500 technology firms, offering a number of opportunities for animators with a computer science background.

Animators interested in working in education can choose from 43 colleges and universities throughout the state and more than 1,158 elementary and secondary institutions. Postsecondary instructors can find work at community colleges such as Central Community College in Hastings and 4-year universities such as University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Employment and Salary Trends for Nebraska Animators

As of 2009, approximately 60 animators worked in production studios, ad agencies, academic institutions, and computer design firms throughout the state of Nebraska. 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 Nebraska earned a mean salary of $40,060 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 Nebraska

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

• Outpost12 Studios, Lincoln
• InFlight Productons, Omaha
• Archrival, Lincoln
• Green Room Media, Lincoln
• Delinea Design, Omaha
• Castlegate Pictures, Omaha

Although animation positions can be found in many cities throughout the state, most are located in principle cities including Omaha and Lincoln.

Nebraska Animation Training Programs

Nebraska has a number of schools that offer a computer animation concentration, certificate programs, or animation courses. These include:

• University of Nebraska at Omaha (Electronic Imaging & Graphics, Computer Animation Concentration)
• Central Community College, Hastings (Animation Classes)
• ITT Technical Institute, Omaha

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

In addition to offering animation programs, the schools listed in this article offer degrees in many of the related fields mentioned above.

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

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