Home > Salary > South Africa > Lead Animator
A lead animator is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the animation process in a production. They work closely with the director, art director, and other members of the animation team to ensure that the animation meets the creative vision of the project. The lead animator manages a team of animators, assigning tasks, providing guidance, and reviewing their work to maintain consistency and quality. They also collaborate with other departments, such as modeling and rigging, to ensure smooth integration of animation into the overall production pipeline. A lead animator must have strong artistic and technical skills, proficiency in industry-standard animation software, and a deep understanding of animation principles and techniques. They should have excellent communication and leadership abilities to effectively manage a team and deliver projects on time.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 262,249 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,854 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,043 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,062 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,860 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07
Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,122 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,094 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 252 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 262,249 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,854 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,043 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
By working as Lead Animator a person can save up to 822 USD per month or 9,868 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Lead Animator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Painter and decorator (97,601 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Instructional paraprofessional (59,677 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Director of purchasing (263,828 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
As400 programmer analyst (167,589 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Hairdresser hairstylist (59,120 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Lead Animator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Lead Animator in South Africa is approximately 262,249 ZAR (13,122 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Lead Animator do?

Skills: lead animator, animation, coordination, team management, animation principles, industry-standard software
Job industry: Animation
Job industry: Animation
How much does Lead Animator make?
Salary details
How much does Lead Animator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 262,249 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,854 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,043 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 252,740 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 21,062 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,860 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Lead Animator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,122 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,094 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 252 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Lead Animator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Lead Animator in South Africa earns on average:
2.07 times the average salary (or 207% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Lead Animator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Lead Animator in South Africa earns on average:
2.07 times the average salary (or 207% of average salary).
Is Lead Animator a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Lead Animator is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Lead Animator?
High salary for Lead Animator would be somewhere between 288,474 ZAR and 380,261 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Lead Animator in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 262,249 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,854 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,043 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
By working as Lead Animator a person can save up to 822 USD per month or 9,868 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Lead Animator
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,138,908 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Painter and decorator (97,601 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Instructional paraprofessional (59,677 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Director of purchasing (263,828 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
As400 programmer analyst (167,589 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Hairdresser hairstylist (59,120 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Feedback about these results
Please provide feedback by clicking buttons below if you find any of our salaries erroneous.

This website presents salary insights for informational purposes only.
Salary details presented on optisalary.com are intended for reference use exclusively. Our data is sourced through multiple inputs and may not always be accurate. Users should cross-reference salary information through other means before making financial decisions. The figures listed here may fluctuate due to factors such as location, industry standards, and individual skill sets. We do not guarantee that the information provided is error-free. By accessing optisalary.com, you accept that salary information is offered 'as is' and without warranties.
Salary details displayed on this website are meant for informational use exclusively. Our data is sourced through multiple sources and may not necessarily be up to date. Users should verify salary information through other means before making financial decisions. The figures shown here may change due to variables such as company policies, experience levels, and demand shifts. We cannot guarantee that the data displayed is error-free. By using this website, you agree that salary information is offered 'as is' and without warranties.