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Character Animation Jobs in Miami, FL (NOW HIRING)

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Character Animation information

See Miami, FL salary details

$9

$18

$36

How much do character animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for character animation in Miami, FL is $18.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.88 and $23.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Character Animator, you need a strong understanding of animation principles, storytelling, and anatomy, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Adobe After Effects, as well as familiarity with rigging and motion capture, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help animators bring characters to life and work effectively within production teams. These skills and qualities are essential for creating engaging, believable animations that meet both artistic vision and production deadlines.

How do character animators typically collaborate with other departments during a production?

Character animators frequently work closely with modelers, riggers, storyboard artists, and directors to ensure that animated characters move and emote consistently with the project’s vision. Regular meetings and feedback sessions are common, allowing animators to address notes from the creative team and make necessary adjustments. This collaborative environment helps maintain continuity and quality, and also provides opportunities for animators to learn from other disciplines and contribute creatively to the storytelling process.

What is the difference between Character Animation vs 3D Modeler?

AspectCharacter Animation3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating movement and performance for charactersDesigning and building 3D models, including characters
Skills NeededAnimation principles, timing, riggingModeling, topology, texturing
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game companies, film productionVFX studios, game development, animation studios
Common CertificationsAnimation courses, rigging and character setup3D modeling certifications, software proficiency

While both roles involve working with 3D assets, Character Animation focuses on bringing characters to life through movement, whereas 3D Modelers create the detailed models that serve as the foundation for animation. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or skill development focus.

What is character animation?

Character animation is the process of bringing animated characters to life using movement and expression. Animators use digital tools or traditional techniques to create believable motions, gestures, and facial expressions that convey a character’s personality and emotions. This field is essential in industries such as film, television, video games, and advertising. Character animators collaborate closely with other artists and directors to ensure characters fit seamlessly into the story and environment. The work requires creativity, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of human and animal movement.
Character Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Animation job openings in Miami, FL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,951 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

side

Fort Lauderdale, FL • Remote

$123K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project’s artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements

Experience:

    • 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
    • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

    • Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
    • Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
    • Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
    • Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills:

    • Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
    • Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills:

    • Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
    • Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.

Preferred Skills

  • Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
  • Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
  • Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.