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Character Artist Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Booming Games

Technical Artist

Oregon, WI · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

As a Technical Artist, you will work closely with the Art Lead and Product Owner to create visually stunning games. Your responsibilities will include preparing, exporting, optimizing, and ...

4imprint, Inc.

Preflight Artist

Oshkosh, WI · On-site

$19/hr

Preflight Artist REPORTS TO: Digitizing Supervisor HOURS: 1st Shift: Monday - Friday: 6:30am-2:30pm - Base Pay $19.00/hr 2nd Shift: Monday - Thursday; 2:30pm-12:30am - Base Pay $19.00/hr + $2/hr ...

KOHLS

Advanced Artist - Men's

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$127K - $152K/yr

You'll work onsite from Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays. About the Role As an Advanced Artist, your primary responsibility will be creating high-volume, quality ...

Great Wolf Resorts

Entertainment Ambassador

Baraboo, WI · On-site

$15/hr

Interact with families while leading different hands on activities such as arts and crafts, bingo, board games, etc... * Responsible for all aspects of Character Appearances and Entertainment at the ...

Great Wolf Lodge

Entertainment Ambassador

Baraboo, WI · On-site

$15/hr

Interact with families while leading different hands on activities such as arts and crafts, bingo, board games, etc... * Responsible for all aspects of Character Appearances and Entertainment at the ...

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All JobsCharacter Artist JobsCharacter Artist Jobs in Wisconsin

Character Artist information

See Wisconsin salary details

$105.5K

$121.7K

$129.7K

How much do character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for character artist in Wisconsin is $121,658.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,100.00 and $128,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character artist?

A character artist is part of the team that designs animated characters, primarily in the video game industry. As a character artist, you work closely with the art director and the lead character artist. Your job duties are to create 2D illustrations and 3D models based on sketches you receive from the concept artist. As you create each iteration of a character, you present your designs to the rest of the team for feedback, then make tweaks and improvements. Finally, you enhance the 3D computer model with definition, weight, color, shading, and texture. These duties may be divided up between different artists, as 3D and 2D animation require very different skills.

What is a character artist?

A Character Artist is a professional who specializes in designing, modeling, and texturing characters for video games, movies, animations, and other digital media. They work closely with concept artists and animators to bring creative visions to life, ensuring that characters are visually appealing and suitable for production needs. Character Artists typically use 3D modeling software, sculpting tools, and digital painting programs to create detailed and expressive characters.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character artist?

To thrive as a Character Artist, you need strong artistic fundamentals in anatomy, form, and color, often backed by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard 3D modeling and sculpting software like ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter, along with familiarity with game engines, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are the standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing visually compelling, technically sound characters that enhance the overall quality of games or animation projects.

How does a character artist typically collaborate with other departments during a game development project?

Character Artists work closely with concept artists, animators, and riggers to bring characters to life in a game. They often start by interpreting concept art, then create 3D models and textures, ensuring their designs align with the game's visual style. Regular feedback sessions with the art director and technical artists help ensure that character assets are optimized for performance and meet project requirements. Effective communication and flexibility are key, as Character Artists often need to make adjustments based on input from other teams.

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

AspectCharacter Artist3D Modeler
Required SkillsConcept art, anatomy, texturing, riggingModeling, topology, UV mapping
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation, filmGame studios, VFX, product design
Common Industry UsageCreating detailed characters for games/filmsModeling various objects, including characters

While both roles involve 3D modeling, a Character Artist specializes in designing and creating detailed character models, focusing on anatomy, textures, and character-specific features. A 3D Modeler has a broader scope, modeling a variety of objects, including characters, environments, and props. The Character Artist often works closely with concept artists and animators to bring characters to life, whereas the 3D Modeler may work across multiple asset types. Both roles require strong modeling skills, but the Character Artist emphasizes character-specific artistry and detail.

How much do character artists make?

Character artists typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists may start lower, while experienced professionals working in gaming or film can earn higher salaries, especially with proficiency in tools like ZBrush or Maya.

How to work as a character artist?

To work as a character artist, develop strong skills in 3D modeling, sculpting, and texturing using tools like Blender, Maya, or ZBrush. Build a portfolio showcasing your character designs, gain experience through internships or freelance projects, and stay updated on industry trends and software updates. A relevant degree or certification in art, animation, or related fields can also enhance your prospects.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Character Artist jobs in Wisconsin?

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For Character Artist jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Artist job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,658 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Senior Technical Artist (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts Inc.

Madison, WI • On-site

$143K - $217K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

General Information
Locations: Vancouver - Great Northern Way, British Columbia, Canada
  • Location: Los Angeles - Chatsworth
  • State: California
  • Country: United States of America

  • Location: Madison
  • State: Wisconsin
  • Country: United States of America

Role ID
215737
Worker Type
Regular Employee
Studio/Department
EA Studios - Respawn
Work Model
Hybrid
Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
Founded in 2010 by the original creators of the Call of Duty Franchise, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they'll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. From our roots as an indie studio to joining the expansive roster of studios at Electronic Arts, this remains our guiding principle. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide.
Our shipped titles include critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Star Wars™ Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars™ Jedi: Survivor and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond. Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.
The Apex Legends team is seeking a Senior Technical Artist with deep expertise in character rigging to help power one of the most dynamic live service games in the world. As part of a large, collaborative team of passionate developers, you'll support our Animation and Modeling partners in delivering a constant stream of high-quality content-from new Legends and limited-time modes to seasonal updates and cosmetic releases that excite and engage millions of players globally.
In this role, you'll drive excellence in skinning and rigging, ensuring every character meets the highest standards of visual fidelity and runtime performance. You'll also champion pipeline improvements that scale across a fast-moving live environment, enabling the team to innovate quickly while maintaining polish and consistency. If you're excited about shaping characters that players connect with and celebrating the energy of a community that shows up every season ready for what's next, this is the place to do it.
Responsibilities
  • Report to the Lead Technical Artist, aligning on priorities, technical direction, and long-term pipeline goals.
  • Collaborate closely with Technical Art, Animation, and Character Art partners to implement solutions that are clean, scalable, and optimized for production.
  • Ensure exceptional quality in character rigging and skinning, upholding high standards for visual fidelity, deformation integrity, and runtime performance.
  • Educate and mentor junior and mid-level Technical Artists by creating clear documentation, sharing best practices, and fostering continued craft development.
  • Identify workflow opportunities and develop high-impact automation and tooling solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and team output.

Qualifications
  • 5 years experience working in proprietary internal game engines and development environments.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Experience rigging and skinning characters Maya.
  • Experience in writing Artist/Animator facing tools specifically for a large production environment.
  • Proficiency in Python.

Nice to Have
  • Familiarity with USD.
  • Knowledge of physics-based animation.
  • Have experience in live service content production.
  • Experience working in proprietary internal game engines and development environments.
  • Strong mathematical foundation used to troubleshoot and optimize 3D deformations.

In addition to opportunities for creative impact and professional growth which come with being a member of our team, working at Respawn has many other perks and benefits! Learn more at respawn.com/perks.
If this opportunity sounds like a great fit for you, we encourage you to apply.
Pay Transparency - North America
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
PAY RANGES
* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$122,300 - $170,700 CAD
* California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$143,800 - $217,200 USD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.
In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
About Electronic Arts
We're proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.

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