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Character Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

teamLFG

OR · On-site

... quality character animation within real-time constraints? Come join us at teamLFG! We are looking for someone that is excited about the creative art of animation and the technical challenge of ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar:

MOD Worldwide, LLC

Motion Designer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Deliver polished animations (2D, 3D, Character, Compositing) working with team members across all disciplines: strategy, accounts, design, copy, and dev. * * Bring layout, typography, and design ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA

$129K - $148K/yr

College/University Degree in Character Animation or similar * Full comprehension of camera, layout, and stagingS * Self-directed and independent worker Major Plus: * Excellent hand-keyed facial ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

College/University Degree in Character Animation or similar * Full comprehension of camera, layout, and stagingS * Self-directed and independent worker Major Plus: * Excellent hand-keyed facial ...

Roblox

Senior 3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

Strong experience in character animation , with a focus on creating believable, game-ready locomotion and action animations * Excellent acting skills through motion-conveying emotion, weight, timing ...

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Character Animation information

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$19

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How much do character animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for character animation in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 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.
More about Character Animation jobs
What cities are hiring for Character Animation jobs? Cities with the most Character Animation job openings:
What states have the most Character Animation jobs? States with the most job openings for Character Animation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Character Animation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Character Animation jobs are:
Character Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Animation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 63% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 70% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,680 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Staff Technical Animator

teamLFG

OR • On-site

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Would you like to work on something comedic with lighthearted and whimsical characters? Do you think a lot about how well-crafted animations create satisfying feedback for players, or how to achieve quality character animation within real-time constraints? Come join us at teamLFG!

We are looking for someone that is excited about the creative art of animation and the technical challenge of turning that animation into world class action gameplay. As a Staff Technical Animator on teamLFG, you will be involved in the initial concept of character movement, the technical considerations of implementation, and the creation of final animation. Most importantly, you will work with a fun, diverse, cross-discipline team devoted to building a new universe from scratch on a new franchise at PlayStation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Create high quality production animation content and implement that content in a game engine

Collaborate with Animation, Design and Engineering to implement new animation systems and ensure cross-discipline communication

Provide support for the animation team helping to resolve technical issues

Proactively search for ways to improve animation quality and workflows

Collaborate with Engineering to ensure animation is performant and within memory budgets

Collaborate with Tech Artists developing tools that support the animation pipeline

REQUIRED SKILLS

In-depth experience with animation systems in Unreal Engine

Strong understanding of game animation concepts like layering, blending, state machines, etc

Knowledge of Maya animation pipelines

Strong communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment

A strong understanding of animation principles

NICE TO HAVE SKILLS

Python scripting for Maya

Stylized animation experience

Fighting game animation experience

Live Service game animation experience

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