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2D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... and character acting, bringing story concepts to life and creating a visual blueprint. * Apply a strong understanding of story principles. Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that ...

... and character acting, bringing story concepts to life and creating a visual blueprint. * Apply a strong understanding of story principles. Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that ...

... character acting, bringing story concepts to life and creating a visual blueprint. Apply a strong understanding of story principles. Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing ...

Be Seen First

This role combines 2D graphic design, 3D environmental design, and real-world production thinking ... If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or ...

Be Seen First

This role combines 2D graphic design, 3D environmental design, and real-world production thinking ... If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or ...

... with traditional animation techniques. * Work closely with creative leadership to shape ... Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations ...

... animation techniques. Work closely with creative leadership to shape storytelling and visual ... Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations ...

... animation techniques. Work closely with creative leadership to shape storytelling and visual ... Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations ...

... with traditional animation techniques. * Work closely with creative leadership to shape ... Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations ...

Art Director - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$236K - $395K/yr

Passion for storytelling and animation with a portfolio and/or credits showcasing excellence in roles such as visual development, background paint, color design, or character design * Knowledge of 2D ...

... character design Knowledge of 2D and CG animation and a thorough understanding of a CG production pipeline from pre-production to post-production. Expert working knowledge of digital drawing tools ...

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2D Character Animator information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do 2d character animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for 2d character animator in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the 2D Character Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 2D Character Animator, you need strong drawing skills, an understanding of animation principles, and experience with character movement and expression, often backed by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency with animation software such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or TVPaint is typically required, and some roles may value certifications in these tools. Creativity, teamwork, strong communication, and the ability to accept and integrate feedback are invaluable soft skills in this position. These abilities ensure the creation of engaging, polished animations that meet project goals and foster effective collaboration within creative teams.

What does a 2D Character Animator do?

A 2D Character Animator creates movement for characters in a two-dimensional space, bringing them to life for films, TV shows, video games, or advertisements. They use software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or TVPaint to design fluid and expressive animations. Their work often involves sketching keyframes, refining motion, and ensuring consistency in character movement. Strong artistic skills, an understanding of timing and physics, and attention to detail are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by 2D Character Animators in a studio environment?

2D Character Animators in a studio setting often face tight deadlines, the need to quickly iterate on creative feedback, and the challenge of maintaining consistency across episodes or projects. They regularly collaborate with directors, storyboard artists, and other animators, which requires strong communication and the ability to adapt to different artistic styles and project needs. Keeping up with evolving animation software and industry trends can also be demanding. Despite these challenges, many animators find the work highly rewarding due to the creative input and team-driven environment that produces visually engaging content.

What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Character Animator jobs? The most popular types of 2D Character Animator jobs are:
What states have the most 2D Character Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for 2D Character Animator jobs include:
Infographic showing various 2D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 27% As Needed, 21% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 29% Nights, and 12% Summer. Highlights an 71% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Storyboard Artist - Ink

Storyboard Artist - Ink

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA

$74.52/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 67 rated media


Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we partner with creators as they experiment with a range of cutting-edge tools that bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling. Come join Inkubator to shape what's next and explore the creative possibilities.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Storyboard Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. You will be a crucial partner in visual storytelling, responsible for creating high-quality storyboards from story inception through final delivery. This role requires technical curiosity to navigate, build, and support hybrid workflows using both traditional and new tools, all while contributing to the development of feature-quality content within our creator- and artist-led environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with creative leadership to define and clarify staging, camera, pacing, and character acting, bringing story concepts to life and creating a visual blueprint.

  • Apply a strong understanding of story principles. Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both inventive and producible.

  • Translate script pages and written or verbal descriptions into visual, ranging from rough thumbnail sketches to finalized storyboard panels. Pitch storyboards to the story, leadership and creative teams.

  • Brainstorm inventive story beats, comedic/dramatic actions, and dialogue tweaks to elevate the story.

  • Proactively engage with and help define traditional, GenAI, and hybrid workflows to achieve creative excellence, bridging 2D and 3D ideas and integration for high-quality animation and story..

  • Receive and incorporate feedback quickly and thoughtfully, maintaining consistency with creative direction, production guidelines, and sprint timelines. Work closely with leadership to resolve issues and address notes.

  • Drive look development and visual experimentation efforts by pioneering new approaches to blend generative imagery with traditional renders and footage.

  • Build workflows, templates, and scripts as needed.

  • Ensure storyboards are delivered to the highest standard and on schedule through effective teamwork and problem-solving skills.

  • Help foster a collaborative, inclusive, curious, and exploratory team environment.

Qualifications
  • 4+ years of storyboarding experience in animation, games, or digital media (feature, episodic, or high-end shortform); experience with stylized or nonphotoreal work is a plus OR a portfolio that demonstrates extensive story experience for animated shorts, series, or features.

  • Storyboarding samples and/or credits demonstrating excellence and inspiration in cinematic sense, graphic storytelling, character development, composition, and editorial pacing.

  • Advanced working knowledge of digital drawing tools.

  • Demonstrated and genuine interest in Generative AI imagery and video, with a proactive, hands-on approach to exploring new GenAI tools to enhance storytelling capabilities.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to deliver high-quality work on schedule in a fast-moving sprint-based environment.

  • Ability to take direction positively, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate clearly with creative, technical, and production partners.

  • A scrappy, builder's mindset with a high degree of independence, out-of-the-box application, and initiative as production support and workflows evolve alongside the creative process. Demonstrated experience working in ambiguous environments where the core production pipeline is being built and rapidly iterated upon.

  • Comfortable taking big-picture approaches while willing to build new workflows in a fluid, evolving production environment.

  • Ability to provide upward, constructive feedback to leadership for improved scalability.

  • Preferred, not required:

    • Traditional art, photography, or film background.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $74.52 an hour and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.

Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.


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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997