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3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prisms VR

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

Retargeting character animation using mocap data; * Scene Layout and Lighting in Unity; * Creating Particle Effects; * Asset optimization for Mobile Standalone VR; * Creating 3D explainer animations ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. * Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. * Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. * Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. * Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. * Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. * Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

... 3D animation, using Maya and/or Motion Builder. * Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. * Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and ...

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 ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Swaybox Studios

3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

The 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist will focus on tracking environments and character features (such as: face, hands, legs, etc.) with a handoff to the layout, animation, and compositing teams. This ...

William Paterson University

$2.1K/wk

Storyboarding & Production Design, Cell Animation I, 3D Character Animation, Advanced Cell Animation, Projects Drawing for Animators, and other Animation Courses. Department overview: The Department ...

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

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character animator 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 jobs can you get with 3D character animation?

A 3D character animator can work in industries such as video game development, film and television production, advertising, and virtual reality. Common roles include character animator, motion designer, visual effects artist, and game artist, often requiring proficiency in tools like Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D. These positions typically involve creating realistic or stylized character movements and may require a portfolio or demo reel to demonstrate skills.

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

To thrive as a 3D Character Animator, you need a strong background in animation principles, anatomy, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max is essential, and having a demo reel or certification can enhance your qualifications. Creativity, strong communication skills, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for working effectively on collaborative projects. These skills ensure you can bring characters to life convincingly while meeting project goals and deadlines in dynamic production environments.

Is there a demand for 3D character animators?

The demand for 3D character animators remains strong across industries such as gaming, film, and advertising, driven by the growth of digital media and entertainment. Skilled animators proficient in software like Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D are sought after, especially those with a strong portfolio and understanding of storytelling and rigging. Job opportunities are available in both freelance and full-time roles, often requiring a portfolio review and technical proficiency.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D character animators in a production environment?

3D Character Animators often face challenges such as meeting tight deadlines, ensuring consistency with a project’s artistic vision, and adapting to feedback from directors or clients. Balancing creativity with technical constraints, like optimizing animations for real-time engines or specific platforms, can also be demanding. Additionally, collaborating closely with modelers, riggers, and other team members means strong communication and adaptability are essential. Overcoming these challenges helps animators deliver high-quality work and maintain efficient production workflows.

How much does a 3D character animator make?

The average salary for a 3D character animator varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. Entry-level animators may earn around $40,000, while experienced professionals with advanced skills in software like Maya or Blender can earn over $100,000 per year.

What is a 3D character animator?

A 3D Character Animator is responsible for creating fluid and expressive character movements in films, video games, and other digital media. They use specialized software, such as Autodesk Maya or Blender, to bring characters to life through motion, expressions, and body language. Their work involves understanding animation principles, character rigging, and storytelling techniques to create believable performances. 3D Character Animators collaborate with modelers, riggers, and directors to ensure animations meet artistic and technical requirements.

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3D Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 61% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 8% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 54% In-person, and 46% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

3D Artist (Remote)

Prisms VR

San Francisco, CA • Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

OUR MISSION:

Prisms VR is a San Francisco-based team of educators, game developers, and engineers transforming K12 STEM education through experiential real-world problem-solving powered by the next generation of spatial computing. We utilize adaptive Virtual Reality (VR) to engage, inspire, and open pathways to creative problem-solving to rapidly improve engagement and proficiencies in Math and Science across our country and beyond. Our mission is to break down barriers to access and build STEM proficiencies at scale for all students, worldwide.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Prisms is looking for a multifaceted 3D Artist who enjoys designing all aspects of 3D content development. As a 3D Artist, you will craft characters, environments, and educational 3D motion graphic animations for virtual reality. The ideal candidate should know and enjoy every aspect of the 3D content development process and have a working knowledge of developing assets for Unity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Collaborate with a team of content designers and developers to design rich and attractive immersive environments and interactive props in a fast and iterative manner.
  • Demonstrate the generalist ability to problem-solve multiple facets of a 3D-for-real-time pipeline fo numerous projects with tight deadlines. Day-to-day tasks include but are not limited to:
    • Designing & creating characters, environments & prop assets;
    • Rigging and animating characters and props;
    • Retargeting character animation using mocap data;
    • Scene Layout and Lighting in Unity;
    • Creating Particle Effects;
    • Asset optimization for Mobile Standalone VR;
    • Creating 3D explainer animations based on STEM concepts using the in-house Unity Animation Timeline tool.
  • Design and adhere to standards and specifications that are consistent with the project vision and brand
    aesthetics.
  • Be a proactive member of the development team and report on task status and potential issues to
  • Ensure the product meets brand standards and expectations in all aspects.
  • Create and maintain documentation and guidelines relating to Art development.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Solid understanding of compositions, color theories, and other industry-standard best 3D art practices.
  • Solid knowledge of modern 3D authoring tools (Maya, Blender, Houdini, ZBrush, etc.)
  • Solid knowledge of Texture and Material Authoring tools like Substance Painter & Designer, Photoshop, etc.
  • Solid understanding of the technical limitations of real-time game engines and mobile VR platforms.
  • Experience in creating Motion Graphic Animation in After Effects or a similar tool.
  • Working experience in Unity.
  • Experience in creating shaders using Shadergraph or Amplify Editor.
  • Experience in creating particle effects using Unity Shuriken Particle System or VFX Graph.
  • Working experience in version control systems (Git Preferred).
  • Ability to maintain clean, organized, and non-destructive workflow.
  • Receptive to the iterative design process and willing to participate in many areas of VR development beyond art responsibilities.
  • Highly motivated and skilled at both working individually and collaborating with a team.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in Virtual Reality Development.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced production environment
  • Experience in 3D Simulation, such as cloth, water, and/or particles.

PORTFOLIO

  • Applicant must provide a link to the portfolio in the resume.
  • The ideal portfolio should showcase all aspects of 3D generalist skills, including your ability in modeling, texturing, Unity scene layout and lighting, and motion graphic animation.
  • Ability to complete an art test if requested.

      3D Artist