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3D Animator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

ESP IT

3D Specialist

Minneapolis, MN

Bachelor's degree or above in Game Design, VFX, Digital Media, Computer Animation or similar field ... Able to create 3D models and textures from photographs, technical drawings, or point cloud data.

New

Horizontal Talent

3D Specialist

Medina, MN · On-site +1

Bachelor's degree or higher in Game Design, VFX, Digital Media, Computer Animation, or a related field * 2+ years of experience modeling in a 3D software package such as Maya, Modo, or 3DS Max

Target Brands, Inc.

3D Designer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

Through 3D visualization, real-time experiences, and AI-powered design workflows, we are redefining how ideas come to life across categories and channels. As a 3D Designer , you will lead the ...

Target

3D Designer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

Through 3D visualization, real-time experiences, and AI-powered design workflows, we are redefining how ideas come to life across categories and channels. As a 3D Designer , you will lead the ...

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Edina, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Saint Paul, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Minneapolis, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Minneapolis, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Edina, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Saint Paul, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

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3D Animator information

See Minnesota salary details

$30.4K

$62.6K

$129.8K

How much do 3d animator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d animator in Minnesota is $62,551.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $61,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 3D animator?

A 3D animator combines art and science to produce 3D animated creations. These artists generate visual designs on a computer and use 3D printing technology to make a tangible model of their concept. Examples of 3D animation products include gaming equipment, film props, and medical illustrations. Most 3D animators work in a studio setting among a team of other 3D animators, each person contributing to the projects based on their strengths.

What does a 3D animator do?

A 3D Animator creates three-dimensional moving images for films, video games, advertisements, and other media. They use specialized software to design characters, objects, and environments, and then animate them to bring stories or concepts to life. Their work often involves collaborating with other artists, directors, and technical staff to ensure the animation fits the overall vision of the project. 3D Animators must have strong artistic skills, technical proficiency, and attention to detail.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D animator?

To thrive as a 3D Animator, you need a strong understanding of animation principles, modeling, texturing, and a portfolio demonstrating your creative and technical abilities, often supported by a degree in animation or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max and familiarity with rendering engines and motion capture systems are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for translating ideas into compelling visual stories and working with production teams. These skills and qualities are vital for producing high-quality animations that meet project goals and industry standards.

What are some common challenges 3D animators face when working on team-based projects?

3D Animators often collaborate closely with modelers, riggers, and technical directors, which can present challenges such as ensuring animation timing matches the project's vision and maintaining consistency across multiple characters or scenes. Communicating effectively to align on feedback and revisions is crucial, especially when working with remote teams or tight deadlines. Being adaptable and open to creative input helps animators navigate these challenges while contributing to a cohesive final product.

Is 3D animation a good career?

3D animation is a viable career that offers opportunities in entertainment, gaming, advertising, and film industries. Success typically requires strong artistic skills, proficiency with software like Maya or Blender, and continuous learning to keep up with technological advancements.

Is there a demand for 3D animators?

The demand for 3D animators remains strong across industries such as entertainment, gaming, advertising, and virtual reality, driven by ongoing growth in digital media and content creation. Skills in industry-standard software like Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D, along with a strong portfolio, can enhance job prospects as companies seek talented animators for various projects.

What jobs can a 3D Animator do?

A 3D Animator can work in industries such as film, video games, advertising, and virtual reality, creating animated characters, environments, and visual effects. They often use software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max and may collaborate with designers, directors, and developers to produce visual content for various media platforms.
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3D Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Animator job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, and 44% Part Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,551 per year, or $30.1 per hour.

3D Developer and 360/Stereoscopic Camera Operator

University of St Thomas

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago

University Of St. Thomas (Minnesota) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

169th of 627 rated colleges and universities

Job description

OVERVIEW
  • Work with 3D modeling software, specifically Blender or Maya, to assist the visualization lab team produce 3D content and 3D assets for Extended Reality (XR) experiences. Work with other creative tools including Photoshop and Canva to support user-interface design, graphic presentations, and interactive experiences. Operate our 360/Stereoscopic camera(70%)
  • Assist the lab team with planning and delivering tours, events, and group presentations of visualization experiences for classes and other gatherings. (20%)
  • Support the maintenance and upkeep of lab equipment and technology. (10%)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
The Visualization Lab at the University of St. Thomas is growing, and we are looking for a part-time 3D Developer to join our team. The position is up to 20 hours a week and will assist the principal designer with the development of 3D and 2D visualization projects for the 2026-27 academic year.
Be prepared to show some evidence of your ability. A link to a porftolio or video examples.
There will be a brief, live Blender test during the interview to verify basic abilities.
Desireable, but not required:
Familiarity with game development engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, or Godot.
Experience with projects involving programming languages, especially Python, JavaScript, or C++.
Skills in Data Science or Amazon Web Services.
The position is flexible, but most of the work hours are required to be done in person in the visualization lab.
For questions please contact Eric Tornoe at ejtornoe@stthomas.edu
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience designing 3D models using Blender or Maya.
Basic graphic design skills in Photoshop (or Canva).
An interest in design and aesthetics.
Eagerness to learn new technology and software.
Good communication skills, professionalism, and punctuality.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

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