Motion Designer.
Nashville.
$88,000
median salary, at the national average
$68,000 to $115,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Motion Designer pay in Nashville ranges from $68,000 to $115,000 in 2026. The median is $88,000, right at the national average. Nashville has diversified well beyond music into healthcare, finance, and technology. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $79,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$57,000
to $70,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$75,000
to $92,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$97,000
to $114,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$110,000
to $136,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $20,000 to the total package.
Base
$88,000
Equity
$11,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $108,000
How Nashville compares
Nashville, TN
$88,000
Cost of living: at average
National Average
$88,000
Same as local rate
Motion Designer salary by city
Salary by role in Nashville
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Motion Designer offer in Nashville, understand the terrain. Nashville has diversified well beyond music into healthcare, finance, and technology. The city is home to HCA Healthcare and a growing corridor of health tech startups. Nashville's moderate cost of living, combined with Tennessee's lack of state income tax on wages, makes it increasingly popular for corporate relocations and remote workers. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay. Motion designers working on product UI animations for tech companies earn significantly more than those focused on marketing videos. Location and industry matter heavily.
Junior Motion Designers earn $68,000 to $78,000. Mid-level professionals with a strong reel reach $85,000 to $100,000. Senior Motion Designers and Creative Directors specializing in motion command $110,000 to $140,000, especially in entertainment or big tech. In Nashville, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Freelance motion designers can charge $75 to $150 per hour, often exceeding salaried equivalents. Full-time roles may include 5 to 10% bonuses, equipment stipends for high-end workstations, and software license coverage. And on the tax side: tennessee has no state income tax on wages or salaries. This gives Nashville workers a meaningful take home advantage over peers in states with 5 to 10% income tax rates. When someone quotes you $88,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the healthcare industry concentration as leverage. Nashville healthcare employers are accustomed to national pay scales and will often match or beat coastal health sector offers. The range for Motion Designers in Nashville runs from $68,000 to $115,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Physical Therapist in Nashville earns $89,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Nashville is Chief AI Officer at $298,000
Common questions.
Motion Designer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Nashville
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