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Animation Studios Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

... studio. You'll own full animation development cycles, make independent creative decisions aligned with project vision, and drive continuous improvement in both artistic quality and technical ...

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $180K/yr

... studio. You'll own full animation development cycles, make independent creative decisions aligned with project vision, and drive continuous improvement in both artistic quality and technical ...

New

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $180K/yr

... studio. You'll own full animation development cycles, make independent creative decisions aligned with project vision, and drive continuous improvement in both artistic quality and technical ...

New

Research Scientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$162K - $210K/yr

This role bridges the gap between academic research and practical studio application. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Research & Innovation: Identify and solve complex graphics/AI problems; design, develop, and ...

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Play and evaluate games in studio test environments, Unity builds, and standalone game versions, providing constructive feedback to elevate animation quality and player impact. * Innovate new ...

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Play and evaluate games in studio test environments, Unity builds, and standalone game versions, providing constructive feedback to elevate animation quality and player impact. * Innovate new ...

Instructor of Animation

Muncie, IN · On-site

$3.0K - $9.0K/wk

Instructor of Animation Compensation: $3000-$9000 per course Department: School of Art - Temp Start ... a studio art program that includes drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, glass, metals ...

We are currently looking for an experienced Designer/Animator to join our New York studio. The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior Designers, and ...

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Animation Studios information

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$39

$70

How much do animation studios jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation studios in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are animation studios?

Animation studios are specialized companies or production facilities that create animated content for various media, including films, television shows, commercials, and video games. These studios employ teams of artists, animators, writers, and technical staff who work together to bring stories and characters to life using techniques such as 2D animation, 3D animation, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Major animation studios, like Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks, are known for producing some of the most popular animated movies and series worldwide. Animation studios play a crucial role in the entertainment industry by combining art and technology to produce visually engaging content.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in animation studios?

Professionals in animation studios often encounter tight deadlines and the need to balance artistic creativity with client or director feedback. Collaboration is key, as animators must communicate closely with storyboard artists, modelers, and sound designers to ensure consistency and meet project goals. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving software and industry standards is essential. The fast-paced, team-oriented environment can be demanding but also offers opportunities for skill development and creative growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an animation studio, and why are they important?

To thrive in an animation studio, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of animation principles, and proficiency in design, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Maya, or Toon Boom Harmony is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills are critical soft skills in this environment. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality, visually engaging content and effective collaboration across diverse production teams.

What is the difference between Animation Studios vs Animation Artists?

AspectAnimation StudiosAnimation Artists
CredentialsTypically require a degree in animation, fine arts, or related fieldsRequire similar credentials, often with specialized portfolios
Work EnvironmentWork in teams within studios, collaborating on large projectsWork independently or in small teams, often freelance or contract
Industry UsageUsed by production companies, advertising agencies, and entertainment firmsUsed by studios, freelance clients, and media companies
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand company structures and project scopePeople compare to find job opportunities or freelance work

Animation Studios are organizations that produce animated content through collaborative teams, often on large-scale projects. Animation Artists are individual professionals creating animations, either within studios or independently. While both share similar credentials and work environments, studios focus on production management, whereas artists focus on creating animations. Understanding these differences helps job seekers and clients find the right fit for their needs.

More about Animation Studios jobs
What cities are hiring for Animation Studios jobs? Cities with the most Animation Studios job openings:
What states have the most Animation Studios jobs? States with the most job openings for Animation Studios jobs include:
Advanced Artist, Animation

Advanced Artist, Animation

Warnerbros

Salt Lake City, UT

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are...

When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We've been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world's largest franchises.Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what's next!

WB Games Avalanche - Advanced Animator

Avalanche Software, a division of Warner Bros. Games Inc. seeks an Advanced Animator. Join the team who created Hogwarts Legacy, an open world, action RPG set in the Wizarding World.

As an Advanced Animator at Avalanche Software, you'll bring in-depth animation expertise to bear on our most visible character performances and gameplay moments. You'll help define scope and approach for complex animation work, set the quality bar for the team, and mentor other animators as you collaborate closely with our multidisciplinary team to craft unforgettable experiences for players worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive keyframe animation for hero characters, creatures, and key gameplay moments, setting the standard for quality across the team

  • Partner with Leads and Production to help define animation scope, schedules, and project benchmarks

  • Take an active role in establishing and improving animation pipeline efficiency and best practices

  • Collaborate with designers and programmers to implement and refine animations in Unreal Engine 5, determining technical and creative approaches for complex problems

  • Mentor animators across the team and provide clear, constructive feedback that improves outcomes and skillsets

  • Lead motion capture sessions and oversee processing of mocap data for in-game use

  • Contribute to the evolution of tools and workflows, working with engineering to create and improve pipeline tools

  • Partner with art directors to translate the game's visual style and narrative goals into actionable direction for the animation team

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressively complex professional game animation experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and a BA in art or a related field

  • Shipped multiple AAA titles as an animator, with a portfolio demonstrating breadth of style and range of technical skill

  • Advanced understanding of human and animal anatomy, locomotion, and performance

  • Advanced proficiency animating both realistic and stylized characters

  • Proven experience mentoring animators and reviewing others' work to raise team quality and skill level

  • Ability to help define scope of work for complex, varied assignments and drive them independently with minimal oversight

  • Excellent communication skills, with experience interacting with and directing internal and external resources

  • Demonstrated ability to establish project taxonomy, file formats, and naming conventions

  • Advanced understanding of the production pipeline, with a track record of driving efficiency improvements

  • Advanced knowledge of Maya, MotionBuilder, and Unreal Engine 5's animation systems

  • Deep experience with procedural animation techniques and runtime animation systems

How We Get Things Done...

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.