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Animator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Childhood Cancer Society

$15 - $20/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

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Animator information

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$10

$39

$69

How much do animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator in Virginia is $39.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $63.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do animators get paid well?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but generally, they earn a median annual wage that is competitive within creative fields. Skilled animators proficient in software like Adobe After Effects or Maya and with a strong portfolio tend to have higher earning potential. Entry-level positions may pay less, while experienced professionals working in film, gaming, or advertising can earn significantly more.

What kind of jobs can animators get?

Animators can work in various fields including film, television, video games, advertising, and web content. They create animated visuals using tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and may work as 2D or 3D artists, character designers, or motion graphics specialists. Many roles require a strong portfolio and proficiency in animation software.

What is the difference between Animator vs 3D Modeler?

AspectAnimator3D Modeler
Required CredentialsAnimation courses, portfolio3D modeling courses, portfolio
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game companiesDesign studios, game development
Industry UsageBrings characters to life through movementCreates 3D assets and models

While both roles work closely in the animation and gaming industries, an Animator focuses on bringing characters and objects to life through movement, whereas a 3D Modeler specializes in creating the detailed 3D models used in animations and games. Both require similar technical skills and often collaborate on projects, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are some typical challenges animators face when working on collaborative projects?

Animators often collaborate with teams of artists, directors, and sound designers, which can present challenges such as maintaining consistent visual style and meeting tight production deadlines. Communication is key, as feedback and revisions are frequent, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, animators need to be proficient in various software and workflows to ensure their work integrates smoothly with other departments, such as modeling or lighting. Balancing creative vision with technical requirements is a common aspect of the role.

What does an animator do?

Animators create moving images for television, movies, video games, websites, multimedia platforms, and other forms of media. As an animator, your duties are to design illustrations to match characters and settings described in scripts. Sometimes an animator comes up with a new character before developing a script or role for it, while other times animators work closely with writers to collaborate on character development. After the creation stage, your responsibilities shift to rendering the image for whatever medium you work in, such as feature-length computer animated films or short graphic descriptions of news for an online magazine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of motion, timing, and storytelling, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender, and familiarity with digital drawing tablets are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help animators collaborate well and bring ideas to life. These skills are vital for producing high-quality, engaging animations that meet project goals and client expectations.
More about Animator jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Animator jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Animator jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Animator jobs in Virginia? For Animator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animator jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Animator jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Animator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Animator job openings:
Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 66% In-person, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,271 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$100/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Regent University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

256th of 615 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design
Job no: 50000453
Work type: Part time
Location: Virginia Beach
Categories: Faculty & Adjunct, School of Communications & the Arts
The Department of Film & Media Arts at Regent University's School of Communication and the Arts invites applications from experienced animation and digital media professionals to join our adjunct faculty. We are building a pool of skilled instructors and will select candidates whose backgrounds best serve our students, so whatever your area of expertise within the craft, we encourage you to apply.
Disciplines and Delivery Formats
Teaching opportunities are available at the undergraduate level, at Regent's campus in Virginia Beach on-campus. We are actively seeking instructors with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • 2D & 3D Animation
  • Character Animation
  • Storyboarding & Visual Development
  • Motion Design
  • Compositing
  • Visual Effects (VFX)
  • Digital Modeling, Texturing, and Look Development
  • Lighting and Rendering
  • Animation Pre-Production and Pipeline Development
  • Cinematography for Animation
  • Editing and Post-Production
  • Visual Storytelling and Narrative Development
  • Interactive Media and Emerging Technologies

Whether your background is in feature animation, television animation, motion graphics, commercial production, visual effects, game cinematics, virtual production, or a combination of these fields, we want to hear from you. We value depth of industry experience and a genuine passion for mentoring the next generation of Christian storytellers.
Expectations include 1) a dedication to Christ-centered teaching and learning; 2) a record of or potential for academic scholarship; 3) the ability to teach undergraduate-level courses; 4) facility with online instructional technology; and 5) a willingness to embrace the College and University Identity and Mission statements and subscribe to a statement of Christian faith.
Salary: $100/credit hour/student up to $3,000 per course
Please submit your CV, a brief statement of teaching philosophy, and any relevant professional credits along with your application.
Regent University does not discriminate in employment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status. For full Non-Discrimination Policy click here.
Benefits
Not eligible for benefits
#LI-DNI
Advertised: 08 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Jun 2027 Eastern Daylight Time
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