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Character Animator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Childhood Cancer Society

$15 - $20/hr

At the heart of our mission is Adventure Ted, our superhero spokes-bear and the central character ... Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core ...

kgs

Web Designer - SharePoint

Fort Belvoir, VA · Remote

Create multimedia and web content -- Produce graphics, reports, presentations, animations, and web assets for SharePoint and other digital channels. * Manage web content lifecycle -- Oversee updates ...

kgs

Web Designer - SharePoint

Fort Belvoir, VA · Remote

Create multimedia and web content -- Produce graphics, reports, presentations, animations, and web assets for SharePoint and other digital channels. * Manage web content lifecycle -- Oversee updates ...

All JobsCharacter Animator JobsCharacter Animator Jobs in Virginia

Character Animator information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$39

$69

How much do character animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for character 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.

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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Character Animator jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Character Animator jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Character Animator jobs in Virginia? For Character Animator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Character Animator jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Character Animator jobs in Virginia are:
Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Animator job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 16% As Needed, 36% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 28% Nights, and 8% Summer. Highlights an 77% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,271 per year, or $39.1 per hour.
Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$100/hr

Part-time

Posted 20 days ago

Regent University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

254th of 612 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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