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3D Character Rigger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior) thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to ... Familiarity with Maya rigging/skinning Nice to Haves: * A passionate Gamer * A Sky Player * Human ...

thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$81K - $114K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior) thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to ... Familiarity with Maya rigging/skinning Nice to Haves: * A passionate Gamer * A Sky Player * Human ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay ...

Catface

Contract 3D Artist

Austin, TX · Remote

$20 - $25/hr

Pose and work with rigged character models. * Build environments through set dressing, composition, and lighting. * Model, texture, and optimize 3D assets. * Produce high-quality renders using ...

New

Catface

Contract 3D Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Pose and work with rigged character models. * Build environments through set dressing, composition, and lighting. * Model, texture, and optimize 3D assets. * Produce high-quality renders using ...

Catface

Contract 3D Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Pose and work with rigged character models. * Build environments through set dressing, composition, and lighting. * Model, texture, and optimize 3D assets. * Produce high-quality renders using ...

Prisms VR

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

As a 3D Artist, you will craft characters, environments, and educational 3D motion graphic ... Rigging and animating characters and props; * Retargeting character animation using mocap data;

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ... quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation ...

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All Jobs3D Character Rigger Jobs

3D Character Rigger information

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$14

$26

$36

How much do 3d character rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d character rigger in the United States is $26.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 3D character rigger?

3D Character Riggers are professionals in the animation, film, and gaming industries who create the digital skeletons and controls that allow 3D characters to move realistically. They build rigs—internal structures of bones and joints—so that animators can manipulate characters for movement, expression, and action. Riggers must have a solid understanding of anatomy, movement, and software tools like Maya or Blender. Their work is essential for bringing digital characters to life in movies, video games, and visual effects.

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

To thrive as a 3D Character Rigger, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills for collaborating with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure efficient rig creation, seamless character movement, and smooth production pipelines in animation and game development.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D character riggers when working on diverse animation projects?

3D Character Riggers often encounter challenges such as adapting rigs to accommodate a wide variety of character designs and animation styles, ensuring both flexibility and stability in movement. Collaborating closely with modelers and animators is crucial to address issues like skin deformation and maintaining consistent quality across different assets. Additionally, Riggers must frequently troubleshoot technical problems that arise with new software tools or unique project requirements, making strong problem-solving skills essential for success in this role.

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

Aspect3D Character Rigger3D Modeler
Primary RoleCreates skeletal structures and controls for character animationBuilds detailed 3D models of characters, objects, or environments
Skills & ToolsRigging software (Maya, Blender), anatomy knowledgeModeling software (Maya, ZBrush), topology, texturing
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, VFXModeling studios, game design, VFX
CredentialsOften requires knowledge of anatomy, rigging techniquesRequires strong modeling and texturing skills

While both roles work closely in the 3D pipeline, a 3D Character Rigger focuses on creating the underlying skeleton and controls for animation, whereas a 3D Modeler builds the detailed character models. Understanding both roles helps in collaborative production environments.

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3D Character Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Rigger job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,114 per year, or $26 per hour.

3D Character Modeler & Rigger (Autodesk Flow Studio)

Mundy Buddy Inc.

Rockville, MD • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Mundy Buddy Inc. is seeking a 3D Character Modeler & Rigger with hands-on experience preparing characters for Autodesk Flow Studio. This role focuses on creating clean, animation-ready character assets that can be efficiently used within Flow Studio’s workflow.

The ideal candidate has strong technical skills in character modeling and rigging, understands deformation and joint hierarchies, and can deliver assets optimized for use in video-based animation pipelines.