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

Animation Careers in North Carolina

Overview: The state of North Carolina has one of the most accommodating film commissions in the nation. The North Carolina Film Office offers a 25% film incentive, $20 million per project cap, no corporate income tax on cap, and no application process. While the film commission’s relaxed requirements and incentives attract film productions from around the country, they also encourage the growth of production facilities throughout the state. As a result, there are a number of opportunities for animators in small, large, and temporary production facilities.

In addition to the film and video industries, North Carolina animators work in advertising, computer technology, and education. Aspiring animation instructors may find a number of art departments in need at many of the state’s 137 colleges and universities.

Employment and Salary Trends for North Carolina Animators

As of 2009, 680 animators worked in production studios, colleges, and advertising and computer design firms throughout the state of North Carolina. 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 North Carolina earned a mean salary of $52,970 per year.

The top four 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 North Carolina

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

• Disney Interactive Media Group, Chapel Hill
• John Lemon Films, Charlotte
• Animink, Charlotte
• Out of Our Minds Animation Studios, Winston Salem
• Limerick Studios, Charlotte

Advertising animators may find employment opportunities at:

• Coyne Beahm Inc., Greensboro
• Emery Advertising, Raleigh
• Howard, Merrell & Partners, Raleigh
• Lyerly Agency, Charlotte
• The Burris Agency, Greensboro

There are more than 100 computer systems and design firms in North Carolina, 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 Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, and Fayetteville.

North Carolina Animation Training Programs

Most North Carolina schools offer animation programs that have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). A number of North Carolina colleges and universities also offer one-year animation programs that lead to an animation certificate, enrichment courses, or other non-degree programs.

Noted North Carolina animation programs are available at:

• North Carolina State University College of Design, Raleigh
• University of North Carolina, Greensboro
• Living Arts College @ School of Communication Arts, Raleigh
• Stanley Community College, Albemarle
• Wake Technical College, Raleigh
• Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte

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.