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Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

2K

Principal Character Technical Artist

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $198K/yr

Because of this, the Principal Character Technical Artist is one of the most vital roles in our studio. You will use your mastery of DCC applications, Unreal Engine 5, rigging, and complex character ...

Seaworldentertainment

Costume Character

Busch, AR

$15.50/hr

Perform as Costume Character, Character Escort, and/or Puppeteer both in park and out-of-park as ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

United Parks and Resorts

Costume Character

Tampa, FL

$15.50/hr

Perform as Costume Character, Character Escort, and/or Puppeteer both in park and out-of-park as ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

United Parks & Resorts

Costume Character

Tampa, FL

$15.50/hr

Perform as Costume Character, Character Escort, and/or Puppeteer both in park and out-of-park as ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

SeaWorld

Costume Character

Busch, AR

$15.50/hr

Perform as Costume Character, Character Escort, and/or Puppeteer both in park and out-of-park as ... Previous experience in the fields of dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts preferred.

Epic Games

Character Outsource Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

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 Games is searching ...

teamLFG

OR

As a leader for the character art team, you'll demonstrate a balance of artistic expertise with a player-first mindset, stretching beyond your role as you collaborate with a passionate, cross ...

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Character Artist information

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$104.5K

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How much do character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 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 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.

What is the 80/20 rule for artists?

For a character artist, the 80/20 rule suggests that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort, meaning focusing on key skills like anatomy, topology, and texturing yields the most significant improvements. Prioritizing these core areas helps optimize workflow and skill development efficiently. Mastering essential tools such as ZBrush or Blender can also maximize productivity with less time spent on less impactful tasks.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Character Artist, and why are they important?

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 much money 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, film, or animation can earn higher salaries, especially with proficiency in tools like ZBrush or Maya.

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.

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.

What art-related jobs are about $80,000 a year?

For a character artist, annual salaries around $80,000 are common in senior or lead roles within the gaming, film, or animation industries. These positions often require extensive experience, strong skills in digital sculpting and software like ZBrush or Maya, and a portfolio demonstrating high-quality work. Salary can vary based on location, company size, and individual expertise.
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Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% 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.
Principal Character Technical Artist

Principal Character Technical Artist

2K

San Mateo, CA • On-site, Remote

$133K - $198K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who we are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

Characters are the heart of our free-to-play AAA multiplayer action game and the core driver of our economy. Because of this, the Principal Character Technical Artist  is one of the most vital roles in our studio. You will use your mastery of DCC applications, Unreal Engine 5, rigging, and complex character and animation pipelines to actively expand the creative decision space for our playable characters. Your technical foresight will directly inform the design process, inspiring the creative leadership with what we are truly capable of building.

What You'll Do: 

  • Creative Partnership & Strategy: Partner with Pillar teams to shape feature development. Identify technical risks early, propose innovative solutions that elevate core mechanics, and provide strategic estimates to guide R&D investments. 
  • Technical Innovation & Fidelity: Establish and own the technical standards for character rigging, technical animation, and dynamic presentation (cloth, hair, physics) in UE5. Actively prototype cutting-edge solutions to ensure our champions compete with the industry's state of the art. 
  • Pipeline Architecture & Tooling: Maintain and extend a rich and performant character pipeline from DCC applications into Unreal Engine. Develop procedural tooling that maximizes content creation efficiency and empowers cross-discipline artists across our US and Valencia studios.
  • Performance & Optimization: Establish technical budgets and performance benchmarks. Ensure high visual fidelity is balanced with optimal runtime performance for a live multiplayer environment. Work with Engineering to ensure character animation systems scale across platform targets.
  • Mentorship & Leadership: Guide, deploy, and mentor a team of character technical artists. Elevate their technical skills and foster a culture of creative problem-solving.

What Will Make You A Great Fit:

  • Experience: 8+ years of game development experience, with at least 3 years in a Senior or Principal Technical Artist role on a shipped AAA title.
  • Engine Mastery: Deep expertise in Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprints, Control Rig, Niagara, and physics/cloth simulation.
  • DCC & Scripting: Expert proficiency in standard DCCs (Maya, Blender, Houdini) and strong scripting skills (Python, C++, or VEX) for tool and pipeline development.
  • Specialization: Exceptional understanding of human anatomy, facial/skeletal rigging, weight painting, and procedural animation techniques.
  • Bonus: Experience working on live-service, free-to-play, or multiplayer action games.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $133,400 and $198,000 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

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