It's no secret that the anime industry is harsh. Individuals work insane hours for very little pay and very little recognition. Unlike their manga contemporaries, anime studios receive acclaim and fan fare, not individual artists, directors or writers. The most popular position is that of seiyuu (voice actor/actress), but even that position doesn't pay very well. However, the findings from the Japanese Animation Creators Association paint a blank picture. Here's the average age per position, monthly salary and yearly salary.
Series Director
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Average Age: 42 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 540,833 yen ($5,036)
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Average Yearly Salary: 6,490,000 yen ($60,437)
Chief Animation Director
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Average Age: 43 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 470,000 yen ($4,378)
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Average Yearly Salary: 5,640,000 yen ($52,521)
Producer
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Average Age: 39 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 451,667 yen ($4,206)
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Average Yearly Salary: 5,420,000 yen ($50,471)
Character Designer
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Average Age: 38 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 425,000 yen ($3,958)
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Average Yearly Salary: 5,100,000 yen ($47,491)
Animation Director
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Average Age: 38 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 327,500 yen ($3,045)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,930,000 yen ($36,602)
3DCG Animator
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Average Age: 34 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 320,000 yen ($2,980)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,840,000 yen ($35,764)
Episode Director
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Average Age: 41 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 316,667 yen ($2,949)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,800,000 yen ($35,391)
Storyboarder
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Average Age: 49 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 310,000 yen ($2,887)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,720,000 yen ($34,647)
Art Director (Background Art)
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Average Age: 35 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 285,000 yen ($2,655)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,420,000 yen ($31,864)
Color Designer
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Average Age: 38 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 278,333 yen ($2,593)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,340,000 yen ($31,120)
Cinematographer
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Average Age: 34 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 265,833 yen ($2,476)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,190,000 yen ($29,723)
Production Assistant
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Average Age: 30 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 257,000 yen ($2,394)
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Average Yearly Salary: 3,090,000 yen ($28,788)
Key Animator
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Average Age: 36 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 235,000 yen ($2,189)
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Average Yearly Salary: 2,820,000 yen ($26,271)
Inbetween Checker
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Average Age: 35 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 217,500 yen ($2,026)
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Average Yearly Salary: 2,610,000 yen ($24,314)
Layout Artist/Rough Keyart
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Average Age: 38 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 195,000 yen ($1,817)
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Average Yearly Salary: 2,340,000 yen ($21,800)
Paint Staff
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Average Age: 26 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 162,000 yen ($1,509)
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Average Yearly Salary: 1,950,000 yen ($18,167)
2nd Key Animation/Clean-Up
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Average Age: 27 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 93,333 yen ($870)
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Average Yearly Salary: 1,120,000 yen ($10,434)
Inbetween Staff
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Average Age: 24 years old
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Average Monthly Salary: 92,500 yen ($862)
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Average Yearly Salary: 1,110,000 yen ($10,340)
Compared to their American counterparts, the salary's are extremely low. Some of these positions don't even pay minimum wage. For example, Tokyo's minimum wage is 907 yen or $8.4493/hr. At 40 hours a week for a full calendar year, that would pay out to 1.886 million yen or $17,569. As you can see, working as a clean-up animator or assistant is well below what Tokyo has deemed a livable wage. Add to the fact that many of these positions require 60+ hours a week and it becomes a real headscratcher as to why anyone would take these jobs. Working in anime is truly a labor of love.