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Animation Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The candidate must have strong Modeling, Animation, Rigging, and Lighting skills, and be versed in current rendering technology. The artist will create a wide variety of Models for Architecture ...

Adjunct Faculty DAA

San Jose, CA · On-site

$3.0K - $4.5K/mo

Experience working with Maya software for animation, modeling, rigging, or lighting of content in animations/films. * Minimum of 3 years of experience working at a professional level with practical ...

Character Technical Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Collaborate closely with rigging and animation to ensure characters are animation-ready and behave correctly in-game. * Implement and validate characters in Unreal Engine, ensuring correct setup for ...

Thorough knowledge of Maya and other animation software. Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging. 3+ years' experience working as a technical animator on shipped titles Solid understanding of ...

Thorough knowledge of Maya and other animation software. Strong knowledge of Maya character rigging. 3+ years' experience working as a technical animator on shipped titles Solid understanding of ...

You will use your mastery of DCC applications, Unreal Engine 5, rigging, and complex character and animation pipelines to actively expand the creative decision space for our playable characters. Your ...

You will use your mastery of DCC applications, Unreal Engine 5, rigging, and complex character and animation pipelines to actively expand the creative decision space for our playable characters. Your ...

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Animation Rigger information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$36

How much do animation rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 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 is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically senior or lead rigging positions in large film, gaming, or animation studios, often requiring extensive experience, advanced skills in 3D software, and knowledge of complex character or mechanical rigging. These roles can offer salaries exceeding six figures, especially in regions with a high cost of living or in companies with substantial budgets for visual effects and animation projects.

What is the average salary of a rigging artist?

The average salary of an animation rigger typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level rigging artists may earn less, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially in larger studios or with advanced software knowledge.

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 build rigs using software like Maya or Blender, enabling animators to manipulate models efficiently and accurately. Rigging requires knowledge of anatomy, weight painting, and scripting to develop functional and flexible rigs.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Animation Rigger position, and why are they important?

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.

What are some typical day-to-day responsibilities of an Animation Rigger?

As an Animation Rigger, your daily tasks include designing, building, and testing control rigs for characters and props to ensure they perform well during animation. You'll work closely with modelers and animators to address rigging needs and respond to feedback to revise or troubleshoot rigs as needed. Setting up skinning, deformation systems, and automation scripts is also common, which helps streamline repetitive tasks and improve workflow. The role requires both technical and creative collaboration, making flexibility and communication essential for meeting production goals and maintaining high-quality animation standards.

How hard is rigging animation?

Rigging animation as an animation rigger involves learning 3D modeling, understanding anatomy and movement, and mastering rigging tools like Maya or Blender. It requires attention to detail, technical skills, and often a strong foundation in character design, making it a challenging but learnable process for those with relevant training. Consistent practice and familiarity with industry standards are essential for proficiency.
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:
Infographic showing various Animation Rigger job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 45% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,405 per year, or $25.7 per hour.
Animator, Gameplay - Temp | Unannounced Game

Animator, Gameplay - Temp | Unannounced Game

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Irvine, CA

$29.81 - $55.14/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Team Name:

Unannounced ProjectJob Title:Animator, Gameplay - Temp | Unannounced GameRequisition ID:R027651Job Description:

At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.


As an Animator, you'll be animating a diverse range of compelling characters and creatures that support an engaging, dynamic, and satisfying gameplay experience. You'll be working with other artists, designers, and engineers to collaborate on creatively complex assignments to develop an inspiring creative vision, animation style, and production pipeline for this new Blizzard game. Ultimately, you're combining inspiring art with great gameplay while actively communicating and thriving on a small team.


This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person's circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.


This is roughly a 5-month temporary position.


Responsibilities

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

  • Partner with the animation team to help develop a unique animation style and visual direction for the project
  • Collaborate with designers, tech artists, and engineers to integrate the animation assets into the engine, and identify and troubleshoot any technical issues that might arise
  • Partner with engineers and tech artists to help support and develop an effective animation pipeline for prototyping and a rapid iteration mindset for game development

Minimum Requirements


  • 5+ years' animation experience in a professional environment (Game Studio, Animation Studio, or VFX Studio)
  • Strong understanding of the principles of animation and body mechanics
  • Experience animating characters and creatures in Maya (or equivalent 3D programs)
  • Experience with Unreal Engine
  • Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy and a keen eye toward creatively representing their movements in believable ways
  • Experience with creating animation blend trees; previous experience with node-based animation editors

Extra Points


  • Professional experience working on AAA games for major platforms
  • Experience with prototype/quick iteration environments
  • Experience working with motion capture
  • Experience with basic modeling and rigging

Your Platform


Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.


Our World


Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises includingCall of Duty,World of Warcraft,Overwatch,Diablo,Candy Crush andBubble Witch. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!


Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered!


The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.


We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.


We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.


We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $29.81 - $55.14 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Blizzard Entertainment logo

About Blizzard Entertainment

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader in the Digital Gaming industry, renowned for creating some of the world's most popular video games such as "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo." The company was founded in 1991 and is currently based in Irvine, California, USA. Aside from creating engaging video games, Blizzard Entertainment also develops and supports a wide range of software products within the realm of entertainment. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, an element that can be recognized in its vast array of legendary games. Notably, its creation, World of Warcraft, remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1991

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