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Animator Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Life Time, Inc.

Pickleball Pro

Sterling, VA · On-site

Position Summary Teach private pickleball lessons and group programming. Coordinate pickleball leagues and mixers. Embrace and execute student centered learning and rally based teaching. Grow your ...

Life Time

Pickleball Pro

Reston, VA

Position Summary Teach private pickleball lessons and group programming. Coordinate pickleball leagues and mixers. Embrace and execute student centered learning and rally based teaching. Grow your ...

Life Time, Inc.

Pickleball Pro

Gainesville, VA · On-site

Position Summary Teach private pickleball lessons and group programming. Coordinate pickleball leagues and mixers. Embrace and execute student centered learning and rally based teaching. Grow your ...

J5 Consulting

Software Developer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Demonstrated experience with graphic design including animation and 3D animation. * Degree(s): Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Graphic Design, Multimedia Development ...

Defender of Wildlife

Graphic Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$79K - $85K/yr

Create motion graphics and animations for specific projects and as visual storytelling support for organizational campaigns. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Provide art direction for ...

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All JobsAnimator JobsAnimator Jobs in Reston, VA

Animator information

See Reston, VA salary details

$11

$41

$73

How much do animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator in Reston, VA is $41.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.74 and $66.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can animators get?

Animators can work in various industries including film, television, video games, advertising, and web design. They create animated content using tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and often collaborate with directors, designers, and clients to produce visual storytelling. Many animators also pursue roles such as character designer, storyboard artist, or visual effects artist.

Are animators still in demand?

Animator jobs remain in demand in industries such as entertainment, advertising, and gaming, especially for those skilled in digital tools like Adobe Animate or Maya. The field values creativity, technical skills, and the ability to adapt to new animation technologies, with employment growth expected to be steady over the coming years.

Is animator a well paying job?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but generally, they can earn a competitive income, especially with specialized skills in 3D modeling or visual effects. Entry-level positions tend to pay less, while experienced animators working in film, gaming, or advertising often earn higher wages. Continuous skill development and proficiency with tools like Adobe After Effects or Maya can improve earning potential.

What does an animator do?

An animator is a creative professional who designs and creates moving images for films, television, video games, and other forms of media. They use computer software or traditional hand-drawn techniques to bring characters, objects, and scenes to life. Animators often work closely with other artists, directors, and writers to ensure their animations fit the vision of a project. Their work involves storyboarding, character design, and creating sequences that convey emotion and action. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of movement are essential skills for animators.

What jobs can I do with animation?

Animator jobs include creating animated content for film, television, video games, advertising, and online media. Skills in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender are often required, and roles can range from character animator to motion graphics artist or visual effects specialist.

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 Do Animators 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 Reston, VA? The most popular types of Animator jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Animator jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Animator jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Animator jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Animator job openings:
Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,282 per year, or $41 per hour.
Multimedia Developer/Designer/Producer

Multimedia Developer/Designer/Producer

Olgoonik Corporation

Alexandria, VA

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Olgoonik rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Olgoonik is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Overview:

The contractor shall support the OLPA by writing treatments and scripts, including performing the requisite research and interviews to accomplish these tasks. While an on-site contractor may serve as the lead writer on a given project, they will most often coordinate with other OLPA and NSF staff, university researchers and public information officers, etc. Scripts will call for clearly communicating science news, concepts, NSF programs and initiatives, and more, through video in a compelling, creative, easy-to-understand manner, including to various age groups and audiences (potentially including children) and in various styles (potentially including humor). In most cases, scripts will be less than four minutes in length, often significantly less.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Primary Responsibilities:

The contractor shall plan, coordinate, produce and direct live and recorded video productions at NSF HQ and on location, including:

  • Set-up and breakdown of equipment, sets and props
  • Audio, lighting and prompter functions
  • Camera and talent direction
  • Camera operation during shooting of single and multi-camera productions and livestream events.

Other related video production functions

  • Video Editing: The contractor shall provide video editorial services using Adobe Premiere Pro nonlinear editing software. Projects range from simple interviews and on-camera remarks to documentaries and educational programs to highly complex productions with multiple layers of graphics, original animations and effects. All onsite contractors performing editing functions must have complete mastery of Adobe Premiere Pro. The contractor should edit scripted and non-scripted productions, video and raw narration; select, add, edit and mix music and sound effects; and color correct productions.
  • Video Graphics and Animation: The contractor may create complex graphics, original artwork and animations using Photoshop, After Effects, and possibly 3D animation software. All onsite post-production staff must, at a minimum, have intermediate skills in Photoshop and After Effects, and at least one on-site contractor must have complete mastery of Photoshop and After Effects.
  • Narration: Given the often-short turnaround times and the changes often made to lines of narration during the editing and review process, the contractor will provide narration capability to maintain the production schedule.
  • Create video files for publishing and distribution using compression software and other appropriate software tools.
  • Post video productions to various NSF and non-NSF web-based and other platforms and file transfer mechanisms, including writing, creation and inputting of required metadata, descriptive text, and closed caption files.
  • Help Coordinate with distribution partners.
  • Satisfy internal and external requests for b-roll and other content in requested formats.
  • Assist with strategically marketing NSF-produced videos to potential distributors.
  • Seek and acquire externally produced NSF-related video content and manage internal distribution and coordination of externally produced content, including posting on appropriate channels. This may include securing usage permission for relevant NSF-related video content from various sources, including institutions, researchers and others; obtaining video files that meet required technical specifications; help maintain liaison with producers; and executing steps necessary to bring video content into the appropriate NSF content management system(s).

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • N/A

Education and/or Experience:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Each proposed on-site contractor in this labor category must have a minimum of 5 years experience in each of the following: video production, editing, and post-production.

Contractor must have the following experience:

  • Setting lighting, doing videography and audio recording in studio and onsite locations.
  • Directing non-professional talent.
  • Mastery of Adobe Premiere Pro editing software and AfterEffects.
  • Intermediate-level skills in Adobe Photoshop.
  • Integrating on-camera and narration voices, music, and sound effects during editing process.
  • Leading a crew in setup and operation of cameras, switcher and web streaming equipment for on-location productions.

It is preferred that the contractor have this experience:

  • On-camera experience.
  • Mastery of all Adobe Creative Suite applications.
  • Creative problem-solving.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

  • N/A

Security Clearance:

  • Must be able to pass Public Trust background investigation.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be able to occasionally stand; walk; sit; use hands and/or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; operate office equipment, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

General office environment.

Olgoonik is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. As an Alaska Native corporation, Olgoonik provides hiring preference to Olgoonik shareholders, descendants, and their spouses to the extent allowed by law.

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