Motion Designer Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$88,000
national median salary
$68,000 to $115,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$126,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$92,000
Honolulu, HI
Lowest Paying
$70,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Motion Designer salary in the United States is $88,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $68,000 at the 25th percentile to $115,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $126,000, while Honolulu offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay.
Motion Designer salary by city
What you should know
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.
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.