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Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Daybreak Games

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $180K/yr

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Animation Creation & Quality Create high-quality, production-level character animations that showcase technical excellence and artistic vision Develop comprehensive animation ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Create high-quality, keyframe Character Animation. * Develop the timing and pace of the movement of characters or objects during the sequence of images. * Manage shot/sequence responsibilities within ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform-specifically basic ability and locomotion sets that bring avatars to life with polish and personality.

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and ...

Valicy

3D Animator

Greenville, NC

A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game's life cycle, owning the ...

Big Shot Pictures

Senior Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $130K/yr

Execute character animation for episodic productions from layout through final delivery * Animate directly in Unreal Engine, utilizing Sequencer, Control Rig, and MetaHuman Animator workflows

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will be part of a remarkably talented team of ... Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will be part of a remarkably talented team of ... Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will be part of a remarkably talented team of ... Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will be part of a remarkably talented team of ... Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ...

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 ...

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

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform-specifically basic ability and locomotion sets that bring avatars to life with polish and personality.

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Character Animator information

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How much do character animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for character animator in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 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 strong artistic abilities in drawing and movement, a solid understanding of animation principles, and often a relevant degree in animation or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, or Blender is typically required, and a strong portfolio is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for bringing characters to life convincingly and ensuring seamless integration into larger creative projects.

How to become a character animator?

To become a character animator, you typically need a bachelor's degree in animation, fine arts, or a related field, along with strong skills in drawing, storytelling, and software such as Adobe Animate or Autodesk Maya. Building a portfolio of animated work and gaining experience through internships or freelance projects are important steps. Proficiency in understanding character movement, timing, and anatomy is essential for success in this role.

What are some common challenges Character Animators face when working on collaborative animation projects?

Character Animators often work as part of multidisciplinary teams alongside modelers, riggers, and directors, which can present challenges in maintaining consistency and meeting creative visions. Communication is key, as animators must interpret feedback from multiple stakeholders and quickly adapt to changes in storyboards or character designs. Managing tight deadlines while ensuring smooth, believable character movement also requires strong organizational and time management skills. Collaboration tools and regular team check-ins help address these challenges and keep projects moving forward efficiently.

How much does a character animator make?

The average salary for a character animator is around $60,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level animators typically earn less, while those with advanced skills in software like Maya or Blender and a strong portfolio can earn higher salaries or freelance rates.

Is it hard to get hired as an animator?

Getting hired as a character animator can be competitive, as it requires a strong portfolio, proficiency in animation software like Maya or Blender, and often a relevant degree or training. Building a solid demo reel and gaining experience through internships or freelance work can improve employment prospects.

What is a Character Animator?

A Character Animator is a professional who creates animated characters for films, television, video games, and other media. They use specialized software to bring characters to life, designing their movements, expressions, and behaviors to convey emotions and tell stories. Character Animators collaborate with artists, directors, and other animators to ensure the animation fits the project's style and vision. Their work is essential in making characters appear believable and engaging to audiences.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney continues to hire 2D animators, especially for projects that preserve traditional animation styles or involve legacy properties. While 3D animation has become dominant, there is still demand for skilled 2D animators in certain productions, training, and specialized roles within the industry.
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Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Animator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Locum Tenens, 20% As Needed, 25% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 35% Nights, and 10% Summer. Highlights an 77% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Character Animator - Generative AI Experiences SW

Character Animator - Generative AI Experiences SW

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 675 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

At Apple, we strive to make great products that empower people and improve their lives. We are looking for a great Character Animator to join our diverse team of engineers, artists and designers and help us take our state of the art character animation systems to the next level. This position focuses on creating high-quality, stylized character animation with emphasis on creative expression, performance, and facial animation to push the limits of the next generation of interactive computing.
Description
This role requires a deep understanding of animation artistry, technical proficiency in Maya, and the ability to work within real-time constraints while maintaining high creative standards.
Minimum Qualifications
Solid grasp on the traditional principles of animation
Experience in expressive facial animation
Expert level of knowledge of Autodesk Maya
Understanding of technical constraints in real-time environments
Great at providing and receiving feedback
Ensure animations run efficiently across target platforms and use cases, both real time with frame rate budgets and non-real time
Preferred Qualifications
USD format and workflow familiarity
Experience with procedural animation techniques
Motion capture cleanup and performance enhancement experience
Experience with real-time game engines (Unity, Unreal, or proprietary engines)
Experience with non-linear animation systems, animation statemachines and/or motion matching techniques.
Skilled in modeling and rigging is a plus

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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