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3D Character Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trove Brands

3D Generalist

Lehi, UT

Portfolios centered on character animation, architectural visualization, automotive rendering, or gaming assets will not be considered. * Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D software such as ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You're good at 3D character animation Bonus if you have used mocap and understand the mocap workflow at a studio. Bonus for having your assets on the Unity store. You're excited about the potential ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

You're good at 3D character animation Bonus if you have used mocap and understand the mocap workflow at a studio. Bonus for having your assets on the Unity store. You're excited about the potential ...

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

2K

3D Artist

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$37 - $56/hr

... animation * Assist the lead artist with QC-ing the character build process, identifying and fixing issues with model, texture, topology, rigging, animation, and rendering * Produce animation ROM ...

Trove Brands

3D Generalist

Lehi, UT · On-site

Portfolios centered on character animation, architectural visualization, automotive rendering, or gaming assets will not be considered. * Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D software such as ...

Trove Brands

3D Generalist

Lehi, UT

Portfolios centered on character animation, architectural visualization, automotive rendering, or gaming assets will not be considered. * Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D software such as ...

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3D Character Animation information

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$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

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

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character animation in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.
More about 3D Character Animation jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Character Animation jobs? Cities with the most 3D Character Animation job openings:
What states have the most 3D Character Animation jobs? States with the most job openings for 3D Character Animation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching 3D Character Animation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Character Animation jobs are:
3D Character Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Animation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.
3D Generalist

3D Generalist

Trove Brands

Lehi, UT

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Every role at Trove Brands is critical to our successful functioning as a whole. Your specific responsibilities as a part of Team Trove will include: 

We are seeking a talented 3D Specialist focusing on creating visual content for a wide range of consumer products including bottles and supplements. The ideal candidate should excel in both high and low-key lighting environments, possess advanced skills in realistic water and liquid simulations, as well as be skilled in compositing techniques. 

Responsibilities:

  • Develop high-quality photorealistic images and videos of our products.
  • Accurately texture products using physically based materials.
  • Create and animate 3D assets, including strong animation work.
  • Edit animations into cohesive final videos, including color correction, sound design, and music selection.
  • Own 3D video projects end to end, from concept through final delivery.

We seek team members who are adept at contributing their personal expertise to a collaborative work environment. For this role, we're looking for someone with the following skills and experience: 

Required Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of professional experience creating photorealistic 3D product visualizations, animations, or related digital content.
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality, product-focused 3D work, including consumer products, packaged goods, or physical products. Portfolios centered on character animation, architectural visualization, automotive rendering, or gaming assets will not be considered.
  • Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D software such as Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, or similar platforms.
  • Advanced understanding of photorealistic rendering, physically based lighting, materials, texturing, and real-world product presentation.
  • Proven experience creating compelling 3D product animations that effectively communicate product features, functionality, and brand storytelling.
  • Strong 3D modeling skills, including reference-based modeling and accurate recreation of physical products.
  • Experience collaborating with creative, marketing, and product teams to execute projects from concept through final delivery.
  • Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience creating realistic dust, liquid, water, or particle simulations to enhance product storytelling and visual impact.
  • Experience with photo scanning, LiDAR scanning, and other techniques for capturing real-world products and environments.
  • Knowledge of compositing workflows and post-production tools such as Adobe After Effects or Nuke.
  • Experience working with consumer brands, e-commerce, advertising, or product marketing content.

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