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Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Senior Technical Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire. What You'll Do Epic is looking for a ...

United Parks and Resorts

Costume Character

Tampa, FL · On-site

$15.50/hr

Costume Character Must attend an in-person audition on: * 4 pm Thursday, August 27 or * 4 pm ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

Seaworldentertainment

Costume Character

Busch, AR · On-site

$15.50/hr

Perform as a Costume Character, Character Escort and live mic host * Perform instage offerings ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

United Parks & Resorts

Costume Character

Tampa, FL · On-site

$15.50/hr

Perform as a Costume Character, Character Escort and live mic host * Perform in stage offerings ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

SeaWorld

Costume Character

Busch, AR · On-site

$15.50/hr

Perform as a Costume Character, Character Escort and live mic host * Perform instage offerings ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

Netflix

Character Designer- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$69.71/hr

The Character Designer will help establish the look, tone, appeal, and design of characters that ... We are seeking artists with both unique artistic vision and strong technical skills who will help ...

Netflix

Character Designer- Ink

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$69.71/hr

The Character Designer will help establish the look, tone, appeal, and design of characters that ... We are seeking artists with both unique artistic vision and strong technical skills who will help ...

Netflix

Character Designer- Ink

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$69.71/hr

The Character Designer will help establish the look, tone, appeal, and design of characters that ... We are seeking artists with both unique artistic vision and strong technical skills who will help ...

Netflix

Character Designer- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$69.71/hr

The Character Designer will help establish the look, tone, appeal, and design of characters that ... We are seeking artists with both unique artistic vision and strong technical skills who will help ...

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Character Artist information

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$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for character artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 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.
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Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

Side

Fort Lauderdale, FL

$115K - $121K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project's artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

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