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Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

Los Gatos, CA

$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 ...

SeaWorld

Previous experience in dance, theater, athletics, communications, or other performance arts ... Character Height Requirements * ABBY CADABBY - 4'9"-5'1" * BIG BIRD - 5'10"-6'2" * BERT - 5'6"-5 ...

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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 Aug 13, 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.

Do you need a degree to be a character artist?

A degree is not strictly required to become a character artist, but many employers prefer candidates with a background in art, design, or related fields. Strong skills in digital sculpting, modeling software, and a compelling portfolio are often more important than formal education for this role.

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 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?

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.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

Character Designer- Ink

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$69.71/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 76 rated media

Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we partner with creators as they experiment with a range of cutting-edge tools that bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling. Come join Inkubator to shape what's next and explore the creative possibilities.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Character Designer to join our pioneering team in creating animated content using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. The Character Designer will help establish the look, tone, appeal, and design of characters that fit within the story and world, leveraging both generative AI and traditional tools to create feature-quality content in a creator- and artist-led environment.
Through research, design exploration, conversations, and collaboration, the Character Designer will work with the creative leads to develop characters' attitudes, personalities, costumes, and poses. We are seeking artists with both unique artistic vision and strong technical skills who will help bring this project to life.
Key Responsibilities
  • Align with the style and sensibility of the show.
  • Explore and create a variety of character design options that fit into the story/world.
  • Translate references to visually develop a character's personality, mood, and tone.
  • Partner with technical leads to refine and troubleshoot character models, ensuring consistency in fidelity, proportion, and emotional range across all shots.
  • Develop character expressions, turnarounds, and production assets.
  • Present work in a clear and organized manner that demonstrates intent.
  • Work flexibly to troubleshoot and address notes.
  • Adhere to the production schedule and deliver completed assignments on time.
  • Collaborate with grace, humility, inclusion, and open-mindedness.
  • Maintain open dialogue with production management about any potential roadblocks or concerns in delivering assignments on time.
  • Provide proactive, upward feedback on pipeline tools and workflow scalability to help refine our emerging production processes.
  • Translate creative notes into technical, actionable items, demonstrating a willingness to experiment and pivot as production requirements evolve.

Qualifications
  • 2+ years of character design experience on series, feature films, shorts, development/production OR a portfolio that demonstrates a strong understanding of character design for production settings.
  • Excellence in draftsmanship with a working knowledge of anatomy and/or volumetric drawing.
  • Advanced working knowledge of digital drawing tools.
  • Broad knowledge of artistic styles and the latest technology is essential.
  • Knowledge of AI tools, Cursor and other agents, and workflows a plus.
  • Samples and/or credits demonstrating excellence in character design.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and e-social communication skills.
  • Experience working within an iterative, agile creative environment where rapid prototyping and feedback loops are part of the daily workflow.
  • Demonstrated experience or strong interest in AI-assisted creative workflows, specifically in how AI can accelerate character development without replacing the artist's creative vision.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $69.71 an hour and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.
Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.
Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What Netflix employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

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