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3D Rigger Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Naperville, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines * Proven experience ...

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX ... Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines * Proven experience ...

Kurppa Hosk

Motion Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Experience with basic character animation or rigging. * Familiarity with Cinema 4D, Blender, or other 3D tools. * Knowledge of sound design and motion for paid social formats. * Experience working ...

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All Jobs3D Rigger Jobs3D Rigger Jobs in Chicago, IL

3D Rigger information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$14

$26

$37

How much do 3d rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d rigger in Chicago, IL is $26.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $30.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are 3D riggers in demand?

3D riggers are in demand within the animation, gaming, and film industries, as they are essential for creating character movement and articulation. Skilled riggers with knowledge of software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max and experience with character setup are particularly sought after, especially in studios working on complex projects.

What are some common challenges 3D Riggers face when working on animated projects?

3D Riggers often encounter challenges such as creating rigs that are both flexible and stable enough to handle a wide range of character movements without deformation or technical issues. Balancing the needs of animators for control and simplicity, while ensuring the rig performs efficiently in production, can be demanding. Additionally, adapting rigs for different software pipelines and collaborating closely with modelers and animators to troubleshoot problems are frequent parts of the job. Overcoming these challenges requires strong technical skills, creativity, and effective communication within the team.

How do I get into 3D rigging?

To become a 3D rigger, you should learn 3D modeling and animation software such as Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, and develop a strong understanding of anatomy, movement, and rigging techniques. Building a portfolio with rigging projects and gaining experience through tutorials, courses, or internships can help you enter the field. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python can also be beneficial for creating custom tools and workflows.

What does a 3D rigger do?

A 3D rigger creates the skeletal structures and control systems that enable 3D models to move and animate. They set up rigs using software like Maya or Blender, ensuring models can perform realistic movements, which is essential for animation, gaming, and visual effects projects.

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

To thrive as a 3D Rigger, you need a strong understanding of anatomy, movement, and 3D modeling principles, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help in collaborating with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure the creation of efficient, realistic rigs that enable smooth animation and enhance overall production quality.

How much do level 3 riggers make?

Level 3 riggers typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in rigging, safety protocols, and familiarity with industry-standard tools can influence salary levels.

What are 3D Riggers?

3D Riggers are professionals in the animation, film, and gaming industries who create digital skeletons for 3D models. Their work involves designing and building the underlying structures that allow 3D characters or objects to move realistically when animated. Riggers use specialized software to set up controls and deformers, enabling animators to pose and animate models efficiently. Their expertise ensures that characters can express a wide range of movements and emotions, which is essential for believable animation.
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL? For 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Rigger jobs in Chicago, IL are:
3D Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Rigger job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 43% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 14% Temporary. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,789 per year, or $26.8 per hour.
Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Varsity Tutors

Naperville, IL • Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Part-time

Posted 16 days ago

Varsity Tutors rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 21 rated private schools and tutoring

Job description

About the Job
The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Autodesk 3DS Max tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the flexibility to set your own schedule, earn competitive rates, and make a real impact on students' academic success and understanding. All from the comfort of your home.
Why Join Our Platform?
  • Earn incrementally higher pay for each session with the same student, reaching up to $40/hour.
  • Get paid up to twice per week, ensuring fast and reliable compensation for the tutoring sessions you conduct and invoice.
  • Set your own hours and tutor as much as you'd like.
  • Tutor remotely using our purpose-built Live Learning Platform. No commuting required.
  • Get matched with students best-suited to your teaching style and expertise.
  • Our AI-powered Tutor Copilot enhances your sessions with real-time instructional support, lesson generation, and engagement features, helping you save prep time and focus on impactful teaching.
  • We handle the logistics—you just invoice for your tutoring sessions, and we take care of payments.

What We Look For In a Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor
  • Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of 3DS Max modeling techniques, materials and texturing, lighting systems, animation, rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and visual effects production.
  • Conceptual Teaching & Problem-Solving: Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render settings for quality output. Emphasizes production pipeline understanding and connects 3DS Max skills to architectural visualization, film VFX, and game development.
  • Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar with 3DS Max curricula and common challenges such as understanding polygon topology, UV mapping complexity, and render setting optimization. Adapts instruction using guided modeling exercises, texturing tutorials, and progressive rendering projects to support students from 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills.
  • Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple approaches, and adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs and styles.
  • Strong communication skills and a friendly, engaging teaching style.
  • Ability to adapt to different learning styles and student needs.

Ways To Connect With Students
  • 1-on-1 Online Tutoring - Provide personalized instruction to individual students.
  • Instant Tutoring - Accept on-demand tutoring requests whenever you're available.

About Varsity Tutors And 1-on-1 Online Tutoring
Our mission is to transform the way people learn by leveraging advanced technology, AI, and the latest in learning science to create personalized learning experiences. Through 1-on-1 Online Tutoring, students receive customized instruction that helps them achieve their learning goals. Our platform is designed to match students with the right tutors, fostering better outcomes and a passion for learning.
Please note: Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Puerto Rico.

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