Multimedia Artist and Animator Salary in Iowa
State-level salary data from BLS OES and H-1B filings
Median Annual Salary (IA)
$47,530
$22.85/hr
vs National Average
$78,841
-39.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$39K – $104K
Multimedia Artist and Animator salary in Iowa averages $47,530 per year, which is approximately 40% below the national average for this profession. While this represents a reasonable income for the state, professionals in this field earn considerably less than their counterparts in other regions, reflecting Iowa's lower cost of living and smaller entertainment industry presence compared to major media hubs.
Several factors influence Multimedia Artist and Animator salary in Iowa, including company size, years of experience, and specialization within animation or digital media. Professionals working for larger corporations or in specialized areas like 3D animation or motion graphics may earn toward the higher end of the $39,300 to $104,000 range, while those in smaller markets or early in their careers typically earn closer to the median.
Salary Distribution — Multimedia Artist and Animator in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,300 |
| 25th percentile | $42,580 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $47,530 |
| 75th percentile | $60,980 |
| 90th percentile | $104,000 |
Top-Paying Industries for Multimedia Artist and Animator (U.S.)
Which industries pay Multimedia Artist and Animators the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Multimedia Artist and Animators in Iowa tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services | $106,480 | 390 |
| Information | $106,430 | 11K |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $104,000 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $97,300 | 30 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $93,350 | 5K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Multimedia Artist and Animator in Iowa vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Iowa) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $49,400 |
| 2023 | $42,550 |
| 2024 | $60,950 |
| 2025 | $47,530 |
| 2026 (projected) | $47,530 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Iowa Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $49,400 | $70,715 |
| 2023 | $42,550 | $73,605 |
| 2024 | $60,950 | $76,617 |
| 2025 | $47,530 | $78,841 |
| 2026 (projected) | $47,530 | $78,841 |
Multimedia Artist and Animator Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $42,580 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $47,530 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $60,980 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $104,000 |
Multimedia Artist and Animator Salary in Other States
Related Multimedia Artist and Animator Salaries in Iowa
How other high-demand occupations in Iowa compare to Multimedia Artist and Animator ($47,530 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Multimedia Artist and Animator | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IA | $143,780 | +202.5% | $69.13/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IA | $125,120 | +163.2% | $60.15/hr |
| Database Administrator in IA | $124,040 | +161.0% | $59.63/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IA | $119,710 | +151.9% | $57.55/hr |
| Software Developer in IA | $114,890 | +141.7% | $55.24/hr |
| Software Engineer in IA | $107,340 | +125.8% | $51.61/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IA | $103,050 | +116.8% | $49.54/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IA | $95,920 | +101.8% | $46.12/hr |
| Data Scientist in IA | $95,830 | +101.6% | $46.07/hr |
| Network Administrator in IA | $84,500 | +77.8% | $40.63/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IA | $80,580 | +69.5% | $38.74/hr |
| Statistician in IA | $80,150 | +68.6% | $38.53/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do multimedia artists and animators make in Iowa?
- The median salary for multimedia artists and animators in Iowa is $47,530 per year, or approximately $23 per hour. This is about 39.7% lower than the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for animators in Iowa?
- Multimedia artists and animators in Iowa earn between $39,300 and $104,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, and employer. The median falls at $47,530, which represents a typical mid-career salary in the state.
Is the animator salary in Iowa below the national average?
- Yes, Iowa's median animator salary of $47,530 is 39.7% below the national average. This means multimedia artists and animators in Iowa typically earn significantly less compared to their counterparts working in other states.
What hourly wage can an animator expect in Iowa?
- Based on the median salary, multimedia artists and animators in Iowa can expect to earn approximately $23 per hour. However, experienced animators at the higher end of the salary range may earn considerably more.