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Character Artist Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

PUBG Seattle

Senior Environment Artist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$143K - $171K/yr

Our team of talented artists, designers, and developers work collaboratively to build immersive worlds that captivate players. The person we're looking for: We are seeking a highly experienced Senior ...

PUBG Seattle

Senior Environment Artist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$143K - $171K/yr

Our team of talented artists, designers, and developers work collaboratively to build immersive worlds that captivate players. The person we're looking for: We are seeking a highly experienced Senior ...

Seattle Children's Theatre

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA

$30 - $50/hr

Teaching Artist Department: Education & Engagement Reports to: ADC Youth Programs Manager, School Partnerships and Programs Manager, Engagement Programs Manager, Adrienne Dillard-Coons Director of ...

Seattle Children's Theatre

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$30 - $50/hr

Teaching Artist Department: Education & Engagement Reports to: ADC Youth Programs Manager,School Partnerships and Programs Manager, Engagement Programs Manager, Adrienne Dillard-Coons Director of ...

Seattle Rep

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA

$50/hr

Bold stories, brilliant artists, and passionate audiences come together to shape each season at Seattle Rep, which includes everything from new play workshops to world premieres, celebrated classics ...

Seattle Rep

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$50/hr

Bold stories, brilliant artists, and passionate audiences come together to shape each season at Seattle Rep, which includes everything from new play workshops to world premieres, celebrated classics ...

Hardsuit Labs

Technical Artist (Mid - Senior)

Seattle, WA · Remote

$130K - $155K/yr

In this role, you will collaborate closely with artists, designers, and engineers to optimize workflows, establish high-quality pipelines, and push the visual boundaries of our projects in Unreal ...

Hardsuit Labs

Technical Artist (Mid - Senior)

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$144K - $173K/yr

In this role, you will collaborate closely with artists, designers, and engineers to optimize workflows, establish high-quality pipelines, and push the visual boundaries of our projects in Unreal ...

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All JobsCharacter Artist JobsCharacter Artist Jobs in Bothell, WA

Character Artist information

See Bothell, WA salary details

$116.8K

$134.7K

$143.6K

How much do character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for character artist in Bothell, WA is $134,740.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,300.00 and $142,000.00 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.
More about Character Artist jobs

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Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Artist job openings in Bothell, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $134,740 per year, or $64.8 per hour.

Lead 3D Artist - Unannounced Project

Lightfox Games

Seattle, WA • On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Lightfox Games is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Lead 3D Artist to join our Seattle, Washington based team to work on an unannounced mobile game for a world-class IP and Publisher. We are looking to build an organization of talented individuals operating in small teams with high levels of ownership. This role is hybrid out of our downtown Seattle office, with approximately 50% of time expected in-person. When remote, we're a quick-to-videocall, video-on studio to keep collaboration fast and effective.

Responsibilities
  • Own the character art pipeline end-to-end, establishing the standards, and workflows that define the game's characters
  • Create high-quality 3D assets, including characters, props, weapons, and environment art, that meet mobile performance requirements and align with the IP's visual identity
  • Work across disciplines as needed, contributing to environments, levels, and architectural/building assets alongside the character pipeline
  • Collaborate with Art Direction, Design, and Engineering to establish and maintain art pipelines, standards, and best practices
  • Optimize models, textures, and materials to balance visual fidelity with mobile performance constraints
  • Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other artists, helping elevate the overall quality bar
  • Lead the visual development of the game, from early concept exploration through final in-engine polish
Requirements
  • 8+ years of professional game development experience, including lead-level ownership of a character or 3D art pipeline on at least one shipped title
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in 3D modeling, texturing, and material creation across a range of asset types, including characters and environments
  • Proven ability to set and maintain a visual style across a team, with experience mentoring or leading other artists
  • Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, and Photoshop
  • Experience with Unity and its asset pipeline
  • Solid understanding of real-time rendering constraints, PBR workflows, and texture budgets for mobile platforms
  • Comfortable working multi-disciplinarily across characters, props, and environments as the project requires
  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset, comfortable working in small, fast-moving teams
Nice to Have
  • Experience working within an established IP or licensed property
  • Experience with stylized art directions
  • Experience with environment and level art, including architectural/building assets
  • Experience leveraging AI tools in art production workflows
Compensation

US$135,000 – US$165,000 depending on experience, plus health/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) matching, commuting benefits, and equity.

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