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3D Character Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

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 ...

Bolt Graphics

Screenwriter (Contract)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$60/hr

Create character briefs/breakdowns, descriptions for sets/environments, articulate the theme and ... Knowledge of and experience with the 3D animation production process * Strong communication skills ...

Bolt Graphics, Inc.

Screenwriter (Contract)

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$68.19 - $97.12/hr

Create character briefs/breakdowns, descriptions for sets/environments, articulate the theme and ... Knowledge of and experience with the 3D animation production process * Strong communication skills ...

Tolan

Principal Gameplay Engineer - Unity

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

... animations, secondary motion, haptics, camera shake, VFX, anticipation/overshoot, responsive UI ... Own "feel" across everything 3D - including character interactions, navigation, and world moments.

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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 3, 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.

Lead Character Artist

2K

Novato, CA • On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

As a Lead Character Artist at Cloud Chamber, under the supervision of the Art Director, you will play a key role in establishing the overall visual quality bar and guidelines for character development on the project. In this role, you'll lead a team of artists to achieve their full potential, collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft compelling stylized character assets that support our aesthetic, meet technical requirements, and gameplay needs, ultimately bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Manage, coach, and mentor a team of character artists to support their career growth, development, and artistic output.
  • Set artistic standards in Unreal Engine, build exemplary reference assets, and establish clear workflows to ensure consistent quality.
  • Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals.
  • Collaborate with the Art Director and Outsourcing Manager to assign and schedule character assets for external development partners.
  • Contribute to material pipelines, track team output, supervise bug distribution, and provide input on custom tools and software.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • 10+ years of professional experience in the video game industry, with 2 or more shipped titles as a character artist (preferably on a first-person title).
  • Proven success managing, guiding, and mentoring a team of character artists.
  • Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer, and Unreal Engine.
  • Mastery of the PBR pipeline for texture creation, including baking tools, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.
  • Exceptional background in traditional art with an expert understanding of human anatomy, composition, proportion, volume, light, and color.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • Strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
#LI-Remote
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $150,400 and $180,000 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.

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