ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal. * Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick animation prototypes for new ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal. * Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick animation prototypes for new ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal. * Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick animation prototypes for new ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create gameplay, AI, and scripted animation that matches the visual style of the game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a ...

Anatomage, Inc.

Visual Effects Animation Artist

Santa Clara, CA

$80K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a VFX and Animation Artist at Anatomage, you will be the driving creative force behind our real-time simulations and visual effects. While this role requires a well-rounded 3D generalist skillset ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create gameplay, AI, and scripted animation that matches the visual style of the game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a ...

Anatomage, Inc.

Visual Effects Animation Artist

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a VFX and Animation Artist at Anatomage, you will be the driving creative force behind our real-time simulations and visual effects. While this role requires a well-rounded 3D generalist skillset ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create gameplay, AI, and scripted animation that matches the visual style of the game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a ...

Anatomage, Inc.

Visual Effects Animation Artist

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a VFX and Animation Artist at Anatomage, you will be the driving creative force behind our real-time simulations and visual effects. While this role requires a well-rounded 3D generalist skillset ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Create gameplay, AI, and scripted animation that matches the visual style of the game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

Inspiring and guiding the animation discipline, setting the creative vision and quality bar for characters and combat in a competitive multiplayer game. * Leading and mentoring a lean animation team ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimation JobsAnimation Jobs in California

Animation information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges animators face in their daily work?

Animators often deal with tight deadlines and the need to revise work multiple times to match client or director feedback, which requires patience and adaptability. The role can involve long periods of focused work at a computer, making time management and attention to ergonomic practices important. Additionally, staying updated with the latest animation techniques and software advancements is crucial for remaining competitive in the field. Collaboration with story artists, designers, and technical teams is also a major part of the job, ensuring each project is cohesive and visually appealing.

What does an animation job involve?

An Animation job involves creating moving images using computer software or traditional techniques like hand-drawing or stop-motion. Animators develop characters, backgrounds, and special effects for films, video games, advertisements, and digital media. They collaborate with writers, designers, and directors to bring stories to life. Strong artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency in animation software like Adobe Animate or Blender are essential.

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

To thrive in Animation, you need strong artistic abilities, knowledge of animation principles, and typically a degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Maya, Blender, or Toon Boom Harmony is highly desirable, and certification in these can be advantageous. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and effective collaboration skills help animators excel in team-oriented environments. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality animations that meet client briefs and project deadlines in this fast-evolving industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation jobs in California? The most popular types of Animation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation jobs in California? For Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Animation jobs? Cities in California with the most Animation job openings:
Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Assistant Editor - Features

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$2.4K - $2.8K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Assistant Editor, Feature Animation
The Assistant Editor is responsible for technical and organizational editorial work from pre-production through post production. Assistant Editor is responsible for maintaining an efficient editorial pipeline and assisting editors. This Motion Picture Editors Guild position is covered by the Sony Pictures Animation Agreement.
Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production 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:
  • Maintain Avid project and keep files organized.
  • Manage and process storyboards using Flix. Also import layout, animation, and lighting shots.
  • Import, log and prep dialogue recordings for editors: scratch dialogue, production recording sessions and ADR.
  • Ingesting assets from sound dept, music dept, etc, and keeping them organized
  • Output movie files for various uses including turnovers for sound department, digital intermediate, and music departments.
  • Organizing sound effects and music.
  • Assist the editors with Avid builds in preparation for screenings and QC of outputs.
  • Responsible for publishing to production including managing EDLs and change notes.
  • Provide information to production that is timely and accurate.
Qualifications:
  • 1-2 years experience in animation editorial.
  • High degree of proficiency in Avid Media Composer.
  • Excellent organization skills with great attention to detail.
  • Understanding of feature animation pipeline and workflows.
  • Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while working under tight schedules.
  • Strong teammate with good interpersonal and interpersonal skills.
  • After Effects, Photoshop, ProTools experience a plus.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $2,400/week to $2,800/week. 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.

Apply