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Animation Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AEG

Fright Fest Scare Talent

Valencia, CA · On-site

$20/hr

... stunt rigging startling and entertaining our park guests with great enthusiasm and high animations. Qualifications Auditions and Second Interview Process After an application has been submitted ...

Stefanini

3D Graphics Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... rigging. * Ability to develop, execute, light, render and test comp FX. * Strong understanding of lighting/shading/texturing principles and techniques. * A good understanding of animation and an eye ...

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA · On-site

... rigging, animation, simulation, real-time, or CAD Primary artistic capability in pen-and-tablet or pen-and-touch workflows Track record of inventing or adopting new techniques, tools, or workflows ...

Virtuos

Management Trainee

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Formed by a team of animation advocates and industry veterans, our studio in Los Angeles offers a variety of content production services, from facial and body modelling, rigging, look development, to ...

Apple

Creative Expert - 3D/VFX

Culver City, CA

$142K - $263K/yr

... rigging, animation, simulation, real-time, or CAD Primary artistic capability in pen-and-tablet or pen-and-touch workflows Track record of inventing or adopting new techniques, tools, or workflows ...

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Animation Rigger information

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$13

$25

$36

How much do animation rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation rigger in California is $25.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animation rigger do?

An Animation Rigger creates the skeletal structures that animators use to bring characters and objects to life in movies, games, and other media. They design and implement control systems for movement, ensuring realistic and flexible animation. Riggers work closely with animators, modelers, and technical artists to ensure characters move naturally and efficiently. They use software like Maya, Blender, or Houdini to build rigs that allow animators to manipulate models with ease.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an animation rigger?

To thrive as an Animation Rigger, you need strong knowledge of anatomy, movement, and 3D animation fundamentals, often backed by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya or Blender, and familiarity with scripting languages like Python or MEL, are typically important; some studios may value certifications in these tools. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication enable collaboration with animators and modelers to deliver high-quality rigs. These competencies help ensure that digital characters move realistically and that production pipelines run efficiently.

How to become an animation rigger?

To become an animation rigger, individuals typically need a strong foundation in 3D modeling, rigging, and animation, often gained through a bachelor's degree in computer graphics, animation, 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 rigging skills.

What are popular job titles related to Animation Rigger jobs in California?

For Animation Rigger jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animation Rigger jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Rigger jobs in California are:

Animation Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Rigger job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 64% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 12% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,405 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Junior Creature Technical Director

San Francisco, CA • On-site

MFI Technologies Incorporated
See more jobs at MFI Technologies Incorporatedexternal

$67K - $85K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

The Junior Creature Technical Director develops and maintains tools to support specific show needs as well as facility needs. The Junior Creature Technical Director works with and maintains hero assets/rigs; and takes direction from the show Creature TD Supervisor to troubleshoot pipeline issues, support CTDs by assisting in shotwork, and rigging non-hero assets.

Junior Creature Technical DirectorRole Type

Full-time

Requirements
  • A certificate or degree in Computer Graphics, Animation, Fine Arts, Design or Photography or a related program, and/or relevant experience working in a similar industry
  • Proven ability in one or more CG techniques relevant to the creature dept; rigging, and simulation with CG cloth, hair, fur, muscles, and skin
  • Experience with Maya or Houdini is required
  • A reel demonstrating character or creature effects, rigging, and technical abilities is required for this role
  • Experience refining templates, rig kits, and reusable sim set-ups is a plus
  • Knowledge of Linux as well as coding/scripting knowledge (Python, Me, or VEX) a plus

Full-time

Compensation: $67,000 - $85,600 /year USD

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