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

Animation Careers in Rhode Island

Overview - There are more than 6,000 artists living in Rhode Island. They work in design, entertainment, media, and fine arts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has not determined the number of animators working in Rhode Island, nor has it reported possible earnings. However, the state is home to a number of animation studios, film and video production studios, and an active film office—the Rhode Island Film & TV Office.

Rhode Island has served as a backdrop for Hollywood productions such as 27 Dresses, Dan in Real Life, and There’s Something About Mary. Productions such as these attract production studios of all kinds, including animation studios. This creates opportunities for animators to work in production, post-production, and advertising and marketing.

In addition to film and video, Rhode Island animators may find opportunities to teach at one of the nation’s top schools for animation studies—Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence. The state is home to 20 colleges and 290 elementary and secondary schools, which means a number of opportunities to teach at all levels are available.

Employment and Salary Trends for Rhode Island 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, Rhode Island artists overall earned a mean salary of $51,210 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 Rhode Island

Aspiring animators interested in working in the film and video industries or advertising may find opportunities at:

• A & M Productions, Providence
• Floating Pear Productions, Providence
• WaveGarden Arts, Providence
• OpticSugar, Providence
• Treanor Brothers Animation, Providence
• Video and Vision, Newport
• (add)ventures, Providence

There are more than 200 technology firms in Rhode Island, so animators with a computer science background will have a number of opportunities to work in the tech industry. Most job opportunities can be found in principle cities such as Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket. 

Rhode Island Animation Training Programs

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

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Division of Fine Arts, Providence
• Rhode Island College, Providence
• Community College of Rhode Island, Department of Art, Warwick

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