Motion Designer.
Denver.
$95,000
median salary, 8% above the national average
$73,000 to $124,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a Motion Designer offer in Denver, CO, here is the reality: $73,000 to $124,000, with $95,000 as the midpoint. 8% above the national average. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
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How Denver compares
Denver, CO
$95,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$88,000
Denver is $7,000 above
What you should know
The Motion Designer landscape in Denver is not what most salary sites will tell you. Denver has emerged as a secondary tech hub with strong aerospace, telecom, and outdoor industry employers. The city attracts remote workers and relocating companies seeking lower costs than the coasts. Salaries have climbed steadily as national employers open satellite offices and compete for Denver's growing talent pool. 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 Denver, 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: colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax. Denver has no additional city income tax, making the overall tax burden lighter than most coastal metros. When someone quotes you $95,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Position yourself as a remote talent anchor. Many companies pay near coastal rates for Denver based employees to save on office costs while retaining top performers. The range for Motion Designers in Denver runs from $73,000 to $124,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Denver
Negotiating in Denver
Position yourself as a remote talent anchor. Many companies pay near coastal rates for Denver based employees to save on office costs while retaining top performers.