The pricing for hiring a 2D animator can fluctuate significantly, influenced by factors such as the animator's expertise, skill level, project complexity, and geographical location. For a precise estimate, it's advisable to reach out directly to 2D animators and outline the details of your project.
As with many other freelance occupations, there are several ways to charge for a freelance animation project. Still, it is important to understand if you can earn a living wage from that project, especially if it ranges across multiple months.
However, animators can charge in several different ways. Some prefer charging per day, which can be relatively easy if an animator has worked in a studio before. Some freelancers recommend doubling your day rate from studio work and multiplying that by eight working hours, which should give you your day rate. If you earned $12.50/hour working in a studio, your day rate should be around $400.
At the same time, some animators work with a lot of different small projects. With the rise of Twitch and YouTube, for example, it isn’t uncommon for animators to work on Twitch emotes or motion graphics for YouTube, leading to several small projects here and there to account for.
While some animators would charge per project in this case, a great approach would be to apply a fee per second for smaller animations and GIFs. This ensures that the rates will be consistent throughout, and you can charge somewhat fairly depending on the length and complexity of your animation.
So in a nutshell:
Animators can charge:
- Per project
- Per day
- Per second
- Animators sometimes work with clients on fixed budgets
- If you worked in a studio, you can double your hourly rate and multiply it by 8 to obtain your ideal day rate
- Smaller projects and GIFs (for example for Twitch and YouTube) can be charged a per-second fee
Our company stands ready to facilitate this process by linking you with proficient animators whose rates match your budget and project specifications. Investing in a skilled 2D animator is essential for attaining top-notch visual components in your project. Reach out to us to find out more.