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Animation Rigger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Santa Rosa, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

2K

Expert Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

In this role, you'll partner closely with animation, design, and engineering teams to create and ... Work together with character artists and riggers to establish both core and secondary functionality ...

31st Union

Expert Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

In this role, you'll partner closely with animation, design, and engineering teams to create and ... Work together with character artists and riggers to establish both core and secondary functionality ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Mundelein, IL · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Sonoma, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Alameda, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

San Mateo, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

Evil Eye Pictures

Senior Unreal Animator

Sunnyvale, CA · Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed ... Experience rigging * Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools. * Python or similar coding ...

M&S Consulting

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA · On-site +1

Experience working across the full 3D pipeline: modeling, texturing/shading, lighting, rigging, animation, rendering, and compositing * Proficiency with tools such as Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya ...

M&S Consulting

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA · Remote

Experience working across the full 3D pipeline: modeling, texturing/shading, lighting, rigging, animation, rendering, and compositing * Proficiency with tools such as Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya ...

That's No Moon Entertainment

OR · On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Be proactive with troubleshooting any animation workflow, rigging and pipeline issues * Communicate effectively with animators, engineers, realization team, and design, to give and accept feedback ...

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 cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO Films LLC

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

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 cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

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 cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

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Animation Rigger information

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$14

$26

$36

How much do animation rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation rigger 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 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.
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Animation Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Rigger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 46% Full Time, 48% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,114 per year, or $26 per hour.
Senior Unreal Animator

Senior Unreal Animator

Evil Eye Pictures

Santa Rosa, CA • Remote

$40 - $65/hr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Founded in 2004, Evil Eye Pictures is a collaborative virtual studio bringing together some of the best content creators, innovators and engineers from around the globe. The team is focused on creating immersive, compelling visuals and experiences for the evolving world of real-time, multi-platform entertainment.


Evil Eye was founded by artists to work on high-profile, special projects while maintaining an emphasis on people and a positive, fun work culture.


Senior Unreal Animator (Contract)


Evil Eye Pictures is looking for an accomplished CG Character Animator. The ideal candidate will have minimum 5 years of professional experience in film, television and/or games, and a thorough understanding of the CG animation pipeline. A level of technical knowledge combined with strong creative and visual instincts is critical.


Key Responsibilities:


  • Create final animation for cinematic sequences using both motion capture data and hand-keyed techniques in Unreal
  • Assemble, clean and augment motion capture for bipedal motion
  • Ownership of hero shots through animation blocking, refinement and polish stages


Requirements:


  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Animation, Games or Visual Effects
  • Experience keyframing character animation and working with motion capture data
  • Ability to collaborate and take direction from creative leads and the narrative team
  • Ability to work independently, problem solve on the fly, and collaborate efficiently across disciplines in a small, fast moving team
  • Experience with Unreal Engine, Unreal Control Rig and Sequencer


Good to have:


  • Proficiency with Maya
  • Experience using source control such as Perforce or Github
  • Experience rigging
  • Helping develop cinematic pipelines and tools.
  • Python or similar coding skills


Additional Information


  • Portfolio: Please include a link to a reel of your work when applying for this position.
  • Location: This is a remote position supporting our Virtual Studio.
  • Contract Duration: 6/15-7/24 with hold to 8/7


For more information about Evil Eye check out: https://www.evileyepictures.com



CA Pay Transparency Information:

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Evil Eye's benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).


Pay Range: $40 -$65 / hour

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