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3D Character Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Human Computer Lab

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

Human Computer Lab

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

jobr.pro

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

New

SCALIS

Character Designer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$115 - $140/hr

... 3D drone performances viewed by audiences around the world ... Working closely with Creative Directors, artists, animators, and technical teams, you'll transform ...

New

Cloud Chamber

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to ... Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter ...

2K

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to ... Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to ... Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter ...

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All Jobs3D Character Animation Jobs3D Character Animation Jobs in California

3D Character Animation information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$63K

$130.8K

How much do 3d character animation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character animation in California is $63,030.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,900.00 and $61,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is 3D character animation?

3D character animation is the process of creating and manipulating digital characters in a three-dimensional space to make them move, act, and express emotions. Animators use specialized software to design characters, rig their skeletal structure, and animate their movements for films, video games, and other media. The goal is to bring characters to life in a way that is believable and engaging to the audience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D character animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Character Animator, you need strong artistic skills in character movement, an understanding of anatomy, and typically a degree in animation or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, and familiarity with rigging and motion capture systems are highly valuable. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills make animators stand out in team-based environments. These abilities ensure the creation of lifelike, engaging characters that effectively tell stories and enhance visual projects.

What are some common challenges 3D character animators face when working on collaborative projects?

3D Character Animators frequently collaborate with modelers, riggers, and technical artists to bring characters to life. One common challenge is ensuring that the animation matches the intended style and technical specifications set by the art and design leads, especially when multiple animators are involved. Integrating animations seamlessly with game engines or film pipelines can also pose technical hurdles. Effective communication and regular feedback sessions are vital to overcoming these challenges and ensuring a consistent, high-quality result.

What is the difference between 3D Character Animation vs 3D Modeler?

Aspect3D Character Animation3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating movement and performance for charactersBuilding and designing 3D models, including characters
Skills RequiredAnimation, rigging, storytellingModeling, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, filmModeling studios, game design, visual effects
Tools UsedAutodesk Maya, Blender, 3ds MaxAutodesk Maya, ZBrush, Blender

While both roles involve 3D software and creative skills, 3D Character Animation focuses on bringing characters to life through movement, whereas 3D Modelers create the detailed models that serve as the foundation for animation. Both roles often collaborate in the same industry settings like gaming and film production.

What are popular job titles related to 3D Character Animation jobs in California?

For 3D Character Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching 3D Character Animation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for 3D Character Animation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for 3D Character Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most 3D Character Animation job openings:

3D Character Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,030 per year, or $30.3 per hour.

Character Design Lead - Disney Television Animation

The Walt Disney Company

Glendale, CA

$74.68 - $82.15/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Walt Disney Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 130 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 52 rated entertainment

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Character Design Lead - Disney Television Animation

Req ID:

10159762

Job Description:

About this Role and our Studio

Disney Television Animation(DTVA)has over 40 years of legacy as a top producer of kids & family entertainment. Our work is integraltoThe Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families' homes across the globe.

DTVA createsboth long-form and short-form content spanningtraditional2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion.We createshows ina broad range of unique and innovative styles, and we aim to match the right talent with the right production in terms of skill and artistic style.

Bysubmittingan applicationfor thisCharacter Design Lead role, youmaybeconsideredforanyCharacter Design Leadpositions that arise until theexpirationdate provided.

Applications submitted to this job posting will remain valid until December 31, 2026.

Whatyou willdo

This is a key leadership role that partners with the Executive Producer, Art Director Line Producer, Production and Creative Executives to execute the creative vision of theseries. The Character Design Lead will work directly with the team to ensure a quality and consistency of style throughout the series.

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with the Art Director to review scripts and storyboards andfor characters that need to be designed for each episode.Flag complexity issues as they arise.

  • In collaboration withthe Executive Producer and Art Director,setthe visual style of the series, creating conceptual and production artwork.

  • Ensure that the high quality and style of showestablishedby the Executive Producer andArt Director is achieved andmaintained.

  • Furtherthe storytelling process by developing the look, personality and feel of characters.

  • Capture the personality and life of a character with their design and attire.

  • Create turnarounds, special poses, mouthchartsand expression sheets and provide aclean pass of the final approved design.

  • May oversee the Character Design team,delegatingwork andmonitoringtheir schedules to create andmaintainconsistency with the design of the project

  • Communicate and problem-solve with vendor animation studio.

Required Qualificationsand Skills

  • 5-7 years of experience in artistic animation production.

  • Experience leading a team preferred.

  • Ability to design and create a variety of characters, turnarounds, mouth charts, expressionsheetsand special poses.

  • Experience working withoverseesvendor studios.

  • A broad knowledge of artistic styles, latest technology and film is essential.

  • Knowledge of drawing software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator,Harmonyand 3D technology, where applicable.

  • Ability to align with style and sensibility of show.

  • Strong leadership qualities with the ability to partner with Creatives and Executives, collaborate with peers, and manage and mentor artists.

  • Positive attitudewith the ability to be flexible.

  • Excellent organizational, verbal, written, e-socialskillsand acumen.

Education

  • Bachelordegree or equivalent work experience

Job Location

  • This is a fully on-site role based in Glendale, CA.

The pay rate for this role in California is $74.68 to $82.15 per hour, which follows the pay scale agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The base pay actually offered may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Job Posting Segment:

Disney Branded Television

Job Posting Primary Business:

TVA Production Management

Primary Job Posting Category:

Modeling

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-08-31

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media

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