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

Animation Careers in Wyoming

Overview - There are nearly 3,130 artists living in Wyoming. They work in the graphic and industrial design industries, multi-media, entertainment, and advertising and promotions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has not determined the number of animators working in Wyoming, but the state has an impressive Film Office that has attracted award-winning films such as Brokeback Mountain and Dances with Wolves as well as Rocky IV, Starship Troopers, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Productions such as these help keep Wyoming production studios (including animation studios) active. Local animation studios may lend a hand with promotional materials, post-production, and more. In addition, Disney is a regular in Wyoming, so there are opportunities for animation studios and independent contractors to assist with large-scale animation projects as well.

Employment and Salary Trends for Wyoming 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, Wyoming artists overall earned a mean salary of $33,780 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 Wyoming

Although animation jobs may be available throughout the state of Wyoming, most positions may be found in principle cities such as Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, and Laramie. Animators may find opportunities to work in animation at:

• Advertising Agencies
• Production Studios
• Post Production Studios
• Animation Studios
• Graphic Design Firms

There are also opportunities to teach. Wyoming is home to 11 colleges and 372 elementary and secondary schools.

Wyoming Animation Training Programs

Several colleges offer graphic design programs with animation courses as part of the curriculum. These include:

• University of Wyoming Department of Art, Laramie
• Central Wyoming College, Riverton
• Northwest College, Powell
• Casper College, Casper

In addition to exploring the art department at any given college, when searching for animation courses, 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