Special Effects Artists and Animators
Machines can already do 51% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 74%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Special Effects Artists and Animators in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 51% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 36% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 74% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 19,970 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $102,030 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 71% for contact with people.
- Also called: 3D Animator (Three-Dimensional Animator), 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist), Animator, Artist.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment | 20% | 82% to 97% | |
| Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs | 18% | 35% to 65% | |
| Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion | 15% | 35% to 65% | |
| Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques | 9% | 82% to 97% | |
| Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters | 8% | 35% to 65% | |
| Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking | 6% | 10% to 27% | |
| Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows | 5% | 78% to 97% | |
| Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence | 5% | 84% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills special effects artists and animators use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much special effects artists and animators rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver7/10
- Trust and reliability5/10
- Know-how about the organisation4/10
- Network and relationships6/10
- Mentoring and developing others3/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis5/10
- Bridge between teams4/10
- Reputation and influence5/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Art Directors67% of tasks by 2035 · US median $114,850
- Content Creators and Influencers70% of tasks by 2035
- Podcasters72% of tasks by 2035
- Trend Forecasters72% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of special effects artists and animators?
Machines can do 51% of the tasks of special effects artists and animators today and 74% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-1014.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Special Effects Artists and Animators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/special-effects-artists-and-animators/