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3D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

2K

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

As a Lead Character Artist at Cloud Chamber, under the supervision of the Art Director, you will ... Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter ...

Festybay

$60K - $82K/yr

... Unreal Animation Artist at Serviceplan Group, you are the bridge between static 3D models and ... Work closely with character/prop rigging tools, utilize Control Rig within Unreal Engine, and ...

Swaybox Studios

Lead 3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Lead 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist Location: New Orleans, LA - Onsite Studio: Swaybox Studios ... Create accurate rotomation of CG character rigs to match puppet and performer movement when ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Collaborate with character artists, tech artists, and engineers to integrate materials with ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Evening Star

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

Manage and lead the internal and external team of artists and maintain the art production with the ... A deep understanding of 3D environment, 3D character, UI, and VFX art pipelines * Expert knowledge ...

Incessantrain

About the Role We're looking for a passionate Animation Artist to bring characters and stories to ... with Maya or similar 3D animation tools * A portfolio showing emotionally driven character ...

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3d Character Artist information

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

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 3D character artist?

A 3D Character Artist is responsible for creating digital characters for video games, movies, and other media. They sculpt, model, texture, and sometimes rig characters to bring them to life. Using software like ZBrush, Blender, or Maya, they ensure characters are visually appealing and optimized for animation. Their work often involves collaborating with concept artists, animators, and game designers to achieve the desired look and functionality. Strong artistic skills and a deep understanding of human and creature anatomy are essential for success in this role.

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

To thrive as a 3D Character Artist, you need strong skills in 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, and anatomy, often backed by a degree in art, game design, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Maya, ZBrush, Blender, and Substance Painter is typically required, and certifications in these tools can be advantageous. Creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to receive and apply feedback are key soft skills that help artists succeed. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling, technically functional characters that meet both artistic direction and production requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D character artists in a studio environment?

3D Character Artists often encounter challenges such as meeting tight deadlines, balancing creative vision with technical limitations, and ensuring that character models are optimized for real-time applications like games or VR. Collaboration is essential, as artists frequently work with animators, riggers, and concept artists to bring characters to life, requiring strong communication and teamwork. Staying updated with new software features and industry trends is also important to keep skills relevant. Addressing these challenges is part of what makes the role dynamic and rewarding, offering multiple opportunities for creative problem-solving and professional growth.

How do you become a 3D character artist?

To become a 3D character artist, you typically need a strong foundation in art and design, proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Blender, Maya, or ZBrush, and a portfolio showcasing your character work. Many professionals pursue a degree in art, animation, or a related field and gain experience through internships or personal projects to build their skills and industry connections.

How much do 3D character artists get paid?

The average salary for 3D character artists varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $50,000 to $85,000 annually. Entry-level artists may earn around $40,000, while experienced professionals with strong skills in software like Maya or ZBrush can earn over $100,000. Freelance or contract work may also influence earnings.

How much does a 3D character artist make?

The average salary for a 3D character artist varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level artists may earn around $40,000, while experienced professionals with strong skills in software like Maya or ZBrush can earn over $100,000. Freelance or contract work may also influence earnings.

Is a 3D character artist a good career?

A 3D character artist is a viable career in the entertainment, gaming, and animation industries, where demand for skilled artists continues to grow. Success typically requires proficiency in software like Maya or ZBrush, a strong portfolio, and ongoing skill development. Job stability and salary vary based on experience, location, and industry demand.
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3d Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Artist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA • On-site

2K
PC Games • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about 2Kexternal

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • 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 reference assets, and establish workflows to ensure consistent quality.

  • Collaborate with various teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals.

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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