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Animation Rigger Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site

Salary: Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing ... An understanding of rigs and typical rigging set-ups, animation pipelines and transferring data ...

AGBO Films LLC

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our ... S. The typical base salary for this position ranges from $90,000-$110,000 annually. Actual offers ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our ... S. The typical base salary for this position ranges from $90,000-$110,000 annually. Actual offers ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our ... S. The typical base salary for this position ranges from $90,000-$110,000 annually. Actual offers ...

Roblox

Senior 3D Artist, Technical

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$163K - $200K/yr

... and rigging systems * Be a subject matter expert on animation and animation technology who ... Annual Salary Range $163,940-$200,850 USD Roles that are based in an office are onsite Tuesday ...

Excel Driver Services

Unity Developer

Wheat Ridge, CO · On-site

Salary: We're looking for a Unity Developer (Rendering & Graphics) to join our simulation team at ... rigging for humanoid characters - Playables - API for code-driven, graph-based animation control ...

MARKETSCALE LLC

3D Artist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Rigging * Animation * Editing Requirements: * 3-5 years in 3D design and animation * Proficiencies ... The 3D Artist position is a full-time role, with competitive salary, full employee medical benefits ...

MARKETSCALE LLC

3D Artist

Dallas, TX · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Rigging * Animation * Editing Requirements: * 3-5 years in 3D design and animation * Proficiencies ... The 3D Artist position is a full-time role, with competitive salary, full employee medical benefits ...

Astrion

Senior Wargame Mentor

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$120K/yr

Active Top Secret SALARY RANGE: Estimated $120,000+ USD Annually* *depending on experience ... Knowledge of rigging and animation is a plus. * Familiarity with rendering engines like Cycles, V ...

Astrion

Senior Wargame Mentor

Melbourne, FL · On-site +1

$120K/yr

Active Top Secret SALARY RANGE: Estimated $120,000+ USD Annually* *depending on experience ... Knowledge of rigging and animation is a plus. * Familiarity with rendering engines like Cycles, V ...

Astrion

Senior Wargame Mentor

Melbourne, FL · On-site

$120K/yr

Active Top Secret SALARY RANGE: Estimated $120,000+ USD Annually* *depending on experience ... Knowledge of rigging and animation is a plus. * Familiarity with rendering engines like Cycles, V ...

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Animation Rigger Salary information

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$14

$26

$36

How much do animation rigger salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation rigger salary 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 the highest paying job in animation?

The highest paying jobs in animation typically include senior roles such as Lead Animator, Animation Director, or VFX Supervisor, which require extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership responsibilities. These positions can offer salaries exceeding six figures, especially in large studios or with specialized expertise in areas like 3D modeling, rigging, or visual effects.

What is the average salary of an animation rigger?

The average salary of an animation rigger varies depending on factors like experience, location, and the studio. In the United States, animation riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 per year, with more experienced professionals and those working at major studios earning higher salaries. Entry-level riggers may start at a lower range, while senior riggers or supervisors can earn significantly more. Freelance riggers may have different earnings depending on the projects and clients they work with.

What are some common challenges faced by animation riggers in their daily work?

Animation riggers often encounter challenges such as balancing artistic requirements with technical constraints, ensuring rigs are user-friendly for animators, and troubleshooting unexpected deformations or performance issues within complex character models. Collaboration with modelers and animators is essential, as riggers must adapt rigs to accommodate feedback and evolving project needs. Staying updated with evolving software and rigging techniques is also crucial to maintain efficiency and quality.

How to become an animation rigger?

To become an animation rigger, you typically need a strong foundation in 3D modeling, rigging, and animation, often gained through a bachelor's degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya or Blender and understanding of character anatomy and movement are essential, along with building a portfolio to showcase your rigging skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animation Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Rigger, you need a solid understanding of anatomy, kinematics, and 3D modeling principles, along with a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency in software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages like Python or MEL is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help riggers collaborate closely with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure the creation of flexible, efficient rigs that enable smooth character animation and enhance production workflows.

What is the difference between Animation Rigger Salary vs Character Animator Salary?

AspectAnimation Rigger SalaryCharacter Animator Salary
Average Annual Salary$60,000 - $85,000$55,000 - $80,000
Required Skills & Certifications3D rigging, software proficiency (Maya, Blender), technical skillsAnimation, storytelling, software proficiency (Maya, After Effects)
Work EnvironmentVFX studios, game development, animation companiesAnimation studios, game studios, film production

While both Animation Riggers and Character Animators work closely in the animation industry, riggers focus on creating the skeletal structures that enable characters to move, whereas animators bring characters to life through movement. Salary differences are generally modest, reflecting overlapping skills but distinct roles within the production pipeline.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically senior or lead rigging positions in large animation studios, film production companies, or AAA game development firms. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced skills in 3D software, and knowledge of complex character and object rigging, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.

What does a rigger do in animation?

An animation rigger creates the skeletal structures and control systems that allow characters and objects to move realistically. They use specialized software to build rigs, which animators then manipulate to produce motion, ensuring proper deformation and functionality. Rigging requires knowledge of anatomy, rigging tools, and often scripting skills to streamline the process.
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Animation Rigger Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Rigger Salary job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 65% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 70% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,114 per year, or $26 per hour.
Previs Artist - Feature

Previs Artist - Feature

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$45 - $75/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

The Previs Artist will contribute to many artistic and technical aspects of Sony Pictures Animation's previs projects using both Maya and Unreal. They will collaborate with the Executive in charge of Pre Production, the Previs Department Head, and the technology team in developing and maintaining libraries of assets, materials, textures and motion files for use by the pre-production teams including production designers and art directors including rigging and prep assets for previs artists in both Unreal and Maya. Will contribute to the development and support of workflows for artists as part of early pre production through previs for animated feature projects.

Sony Pictures Animation is an animation studio based in Los Angeles, California, creating both feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. We pride ourselves on empowering filmmakers to lead the creative process, and allowing the hand of the artist to be truly felt, with the goal of producing bold and innovative visual storytelling!

Responsibilities:
  • Develop rigged characters and character export tools to other vendors
  • Develop libraries of assets, materials, fx, and motions for previs artist
  • Support the art and previs teams with asset compatibility between DCC's
  • Prep assets for pre production (textures, materials, and rigging)
  • Build and debug shader and materials graphs throughout pre production
  • Help with lighting and shading levels in Unreal Engine
  • Work closely with software development teams in the creation of a new previs pipeline
  • Work closely with all departments on pipeline improvements and developments
  • Support supervisors/artists with use of this pipeline and it's tools
  • Support artists and supervisors
  • Work with Unreal Sequencer in terms of assembling shots, animations, camera, etc both in house and with vendor assets
Essential Skills:
  • Experience working with Maya or other DCC software
  • Excellent knowledge of the Unreal Engine asset and animation pipelines
  • Experience with character rigging and retargeting for Unreal Engine and Maya
  • An understanding of Camera, Animation and Film Language
  • Technical troubleshooting skills within Maya and Unreal
  • A solid knowledge of Previs/VFX/CG shot production and its iteration process
  • Understanding of Materials and Shader Editor in Unreal Engine and Maya
  • A desire to learn from others and to take on increasingly challenging work
  • A vivid imagination

Software knowledge:

  • Autodesk Maya
  • Unreal Engine 5
  • Autodesk MotionBuilder
  • Perforce
  • ShotGrid

The anticipated base salary for this position is $45/hour to $75/hour. This role qualifies for benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors.

To apply, please include a resume and a link to your portfolio. Please make sure to include any passwords to your work in your cover letter and/or in your resume.

Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

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