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3D Background Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Imerza

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Senior 3D Artist: Imerza is a digital twin and architectural visualization studio built on Unreal ... Architectural visualization or architecture background strongly preferred; familiarity with ...

Together Group

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Senior 3D Artist Department: Imerza Employment Type: Full Time Location: Imerza Reporting To: Scott ... Architectural visualization or architecture background strongly preferred; familiarity with ...

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA

$75K - $120K/yr

You are an artist with a strong technical background. Problem solving is your passion. You are able ... You are able to fit within any 3D art department and help out and bring an asset to full completion.

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

You are an artist with a strong technical background. Problem solving is your passion. You are able ... You are able to fit within any 3D art department and help out and bring an asset to full completion.

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

You are an artist with a strong technical background. Problem solving is your passion. You are able ... You are able to fit within any 3D art department and help out and bring an asset to full completion.

Together Group

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

We are looking for a Senior 3D Artist with deep UE5 production experience who can own complex tasks ... Architectural visualization or architecture background strongly preferred; familiarity with ...

Together Group

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

We are looking for a Senior 3D Artist with deep UE5 production experience who can own complex tasks ... Architectural visualization or architecture background strongly preferred; familiarity with ...

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3D Background Artist information

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How much do 3d background artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d background artist in the United States is $39.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3d background artist do?

A 3D Background Artist creates the digital environments and settings that appear behind characters and main objects in animations, video games, films, and other visual media. Their work involves modeling, texturing, and lighting backgrounds to achieve a realistic or stylized look, depending on the project requirements. They collaborate closely with other artists, such as character and lighting artists, to ensure the visual consistency and quality of the final scene. 3D Background Artists play a crucial role in establishing the atmosphere, mood, and storytelling elements of a project.

What are some common challenges faced by 3d background artists when collaborating with other departments in game or film production?

3D Background Artists often work closely with concept artists, level designers, and lighting teams to ensure that the environments they create fit seamlessly within the project's visual and technical requirements. One common challenge is balancing creative vision with performance constraints, as backgrounds must look detailed yet remain optimized for real-time rendering. Communication is key, as feedback from art directors or technical leads may require quick adjustments to assets. Additionally, aligning the style and scale of backgrounds with other artists' work requires flexibility and strong teamwork skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3d background artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Background Artist, you need strong artistic skills in composition, lighting, and color theory, along with a solid understanding of 3D modeling and texturing, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Adobe Photoshop is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with teams and interpreting creative briefs. These capabilities ensure visually compelling environments that enhance storytelling and meet production standards in animation, film, or game development.

What is the difference between 3D Background Artist vs 3D Environment Artist?

Aspect3D Background Artist3D Environment Artist
Primary FocusCreating detailed background scenes and static environments for various mediaDesigning and building immersive 3D environments for games, films, or VR
Skills & ToolsModeling, texturing, painting backgrounds, Photoshop, Maya, BlenderLevel design, environment modeling, lighting, Unreal Engine, Unity
Work EnvironmentFilm, animation, game studios, freelance projectsGame development studios, film production, VR experiences

While both roles involve creating 3D environments, a 3D Background Artist specializes in detailed, static backgrounds often used in animation and illustration, whereas a 3D Environment Artist focuses on designing interactive, immersive environments primarily for games and virtual experiences. The skill sets overlap but differ in application and tools used.

How much do 3D background artists get paid?

3D background artists typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists may start lower, while experienced professionals with strong skills in software like Blender or Maya can earn higher salaries, especially in larger studios or competitive markets.

What cities are hiring for 3D Background Artist jobs?

Cities with the most 3D Background Artist job openings:

What states have the most 3D Background Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for 3D Background Artist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to 3D Background Artist jobs?

For 3D Background Artist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various 3D Background Artist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,070 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Senior Real-Time Viz Artist

Sarasota, FL • On-site

Imerza
Real Estate • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Imerzaexternal

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Compensation: $80,000 to $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Senior 3D Artist:
Imerza is a digital twin and architectural visualization studio built on Unreal Engine 5. As Epic Games' official US partner studio for Digital Twins, we work with developers, architects, and destination brands on some of the largest and most complex real-time environments in production today. We take craft seriously, and we take knowledge-sharing just as seriously. What you know is only as valuable as how well you share it.

We are looking for a Senior 3D Artist with deep UE5 production experience who can own complex tasks from brief to delivery, elevate the artists around them, and contribute to how the team operates. This is a hands-on production role with real mentorship responsibility built in, not as a secondary duty.
What You'll Do:
  • Execute complex real-time production tasks across environments, assets, and architectural content.
  • Deliver client-ready work with minimal revision.
  • Build and iterate PCG graphs for procedural environment population: vegetation, urban context, and asset distribution, without supervision
  • Apply real-time lighting expertise across project contexts: Lumen global illumination, sun studies, interior artificial lighting, and the distinction between cinematic and real-time approaches.
  • Interpret architectural drawings, BIM exports, and FF&E documentation and translate them into accurate, high-quality real-time assets.
  • Actively mentor mid and junior artists in UE5 tools, pipeline, and production standards; this is a core expectation of the role.
  • Review work and provide specific, actionable technical feedback to junior and mid-level artists.
  • Document workflows so your expertise is accessible and usable by the team without requiring your direct involvement.
  • Maintain rigorous version control discipline using Perforce.
  • Participate in project kickoffs and contribute to process improvements.
What We're Looking For:
  • 5+ years of professional 3D production experience.
  • Expert knowledge of Unreal Engine 5: Lumen, Nanite, PCG, and real-time rendering pipelines.
  • Deep real-time lighting expertise, technically proficient and artistically confident.
  • Solid understanding of BIM/CAD-to-UE5 pipelines: Revit, Rhino, or SketchUp via Datasmith.
  • Proficiency in 3ds Max and/or Blender; Houdini and Substance beneficial.
  • Perforce required; Jira or equivalent project tracking.
  • Architectural visualization or architecture background strongly preferred; familiarity with architectural scale, construction documentation, and FF&E is a meaningful advantage. You will be interpreting architect drawings and BIM exports, not game briefs.
Portfolio Requirements:
  • Submit a real-time walkthrough reel demonstrating interactive environments; pre-rendered video will not be accepted as a substitute.
  • Include project-level context for each piece: your specific contribution (modeling, lighting, composition, full-scene ownership, etc.) and the production constraints you were working within.
  • Before submitting, review our work at imerza.com. If the quality and approach do not resonate, this is probably not the right fit.
Additional Requirements:
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is based in Sarasota, FL. Candidates who can work onsite or are willing to relocate are strongly preferred. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.