Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How much should you charge for motion design?
Find your rate based on animation complexity, deliverable type, and production scope.
Motion designers in the US charge between $60 and $175 per hour. Explainer videos range from $3,000 to $15,000 per finished minute. Social media animations cost $500-$2,000 per asset. Logo animations start at $1,000-$5,000 depending on complexity.
Floor
$60
per hour
Typical
$110
per hour
Premium
$175
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How we calculated this
The rates on this page are derived from BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data for the closest matching occupation code, adjusted for freelance overhead using a transparent four-step formula.
- 01
Floor calculation
Your target income × 1.153 (SE tax) + annual software and tool costs, divided by billable hours. This is the minimum rate that covers your costs.
- 02
Market benchmarking
The base rate is positioned against BLS percentile data for your metro. You see exactly where you land — p10 through p90.
- 03
Skill and complexity adjustments
Multipliers of 0.85×–1.65× reflect your skill level and the complexity of the work. High-stakes, strategic work earns more.
- 04
Regional cost adjustment
BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) adjust the final rate for local cost of living. San Francisco commands more; Austin less.
What changes the price
- Animation style (2D, 3D, mixed media)
- Duration of finished piece
- Storyboard and concept inclusion
- Sound design and music licensing
- Number of revision rounds
- Character animation complexity
- Render time and technical requirements
- Deliverable formats and aspect ratios
Real quote breakdowns
Explainer Video (90 Seconds)
2D animated explainer video for a SaaS product. Script review, storyboard, character animation, voiceover sync, sound design, music.
Breakdown
75 hrs × $113/hr. Storyboard ($1,500). Illustration + asset creation ($2,500). Animation ($3,000). Sound design + VO sync ($1,000). Revisions ($500).
Social Media Animation Package
10 animated social media assets for a product launch. Mix of Instagram Reels, Stories, and LinkedIn posts. 5-15 seconds each, brand-consistent.
Breakdown
10 assets × $500 avg. Template setup ($1,000). Production ($3,000). Format variations ($500). Revisions ($500).
Logo Animation + Brand Motion System
Animated logo reveal (3 variations) plus a motion design system: transition styles, text animation presets, and usage guidelines for the brand.
Breakdown
50 hrs × $120/hr. Concept development ($1,200). Logo animation — 3 variants ($2,400). Motion system + presets ($1,500). Guidelines doc ($900).
Frequently asked questions
Should motion designers charge per second, per project, or per hour?
Per-project pricing is standard for defined deliverables (explainer videos, logo animations). Per-second pricing ($150-$500/finished second) is sometimes used but can be misleading — a 5-second logo animation can take as long as a 30-second kinetic typography piece. Hourly works for ongoing retainers or UI animation work.
How much should I charge per finished minute of animation?
Industry rates per finished minute: simple motion graphics (icons, text): $3,000-$5,000. Character animation (2D): $5,000-$10,000. 3D animation: $8,000-$15,000+. These rates assume you handle design, animation, and basic sound. Voiceover and custom music are billed separately.
Should the client provide the script and storyboard?
Ideally yes, but many clients need help. Offer scriptwriting and storyboarding as separate line items ($500-$2,000 depending on length). If you handle both, charge more — you are doing creative direction, not just animation. Clear storyboard approval before animation begins prevents costly revision loops.
How do I price UI/UX animation and micro-interactions?
UI animation is typically billed hourly ($80-$150/hr) because scope is iterative and developer handoff requires adjustment. Price per interaction ($200-$800 each) for defined components (button states, page transitions, loading animations). Include Lottie/JSON export if needed — it adds 20-30% to the effort.
Should I include music and sound design in my motion design pricing?
Keep them separate. Sound design adds $500-$2,000 per project depending on complexity. Stock music licensing ($50-$500) should be a pass-through cost to the client. If you produce custom sound, bill it as a distinct line item. Bundling hides the cost and makes revisions complicated.
Related professions
The short version
- →Floor rate: $60/hr. Typical: $110/hr. Premium: $175/hr.
- →Motion designers in the US charge between $60 and $175 per hour.
- →The biggest rate drivers: Animation style (2D, 3D, mixed media), Duration of finished piece, Storyboard and concept inclusion.
- →Rates are based on BLS OEWS May 2024 data, adjusted for freelance overhead, skill level, complexity, and regional cost of living.