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

Animation Careers in New Jersey

Overview: Although New Jersey suspended the state’s film incentive program, aspiring animators still choose New Jersey as a place to train, work, and teach based on its close proximity to New York, which is less than 60 miles away. Other reasons animators choose New Jersey are:

• Kean University’s competitive media & film program
• Number of small, approachable studios
• Lower cost of living than New York
• Competitive salaries for animators

In addition to the film and video industries, New Jersey animators work in advertising, education, and computer technology both locally and in the state of New York. Animators interested in teaching may find work at one of New Jersey’s 65 colleges and universities or at dozens of community and county colleges such as Mercer County Community College in West Windsor and Union County College in Cranford. 

Employment and Salary Trends for New Jersey Animators

As of 2009, 540 animators worked in production studios, colleges, advertising, and computer design firms throughout the state of New Jersey. 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 New Jersey earned a mean salary of $59,380 per year, which is only $2,800 less than the national average, but more than at least 20 other states.

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 New Jersey

Aspiring animators interested in working in the film and video industries may find employment New Jersey animation studios such as:

• Moore Studios, Port Norris
• Tresware, Farmingdale
• Pixel Light Digital Media, Inc., Lyndhurst

Advertising animators may find employment opportunities at:

• JK Design, Hillsborough
• Burkewood Communications Corporation, Princeton
• Rienzi & Rienzi Communications, Montville
• Crystal Coding Concepts, Edgewater

There are more than 100 computer systems and design firms in New Jersey, so there are ample opportunities for animators with a computer science background. Although these positions are available in many cities throughout the state, a large number of opportunities can be found in principle cities such as Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Edison.

New Jersey Animation Training Programs

Many New Jersey art & design schools offer animation programs that have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). A number of New Jersey colleges and universities also offer computer science, advertising, and art with a concentration in animation degrees, one-year animation programs that lead to an animation certificate, enrichment courses, or other non-degree programs.

Noted New Jersey animation programs are available at:

• Bloomfield College, Bloomfield
• Farleigh Dickinson University, Madison
• Monmouth University, West Long Branch
• Brookdale Community College,
• Bergen Community College, Lincroft

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 a degree in animation or multi-media art, most of the schools listed in this article offer degrees in 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