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Character Rigger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Work closely with rigging, animation, and technical art teams to ensure characters are ready for implementation. * Stay current with industry trends and techniques in character art. Core ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Work closely with rigging, animation, and technical art teams to ensure characters are ready for implementation. * Stay current with industry trends and techniques in character art. Core ...

2K

Principal Character Technical Artist

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $198K/yr

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 ...

Landwehr Construction, Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$23.75 - $30.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

Landwehr Construction Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$23 - $29.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

Landwehr Construction, Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$23 - $29.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

Landwehr Construction Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$23.75 - $30.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

Landwehr Construction Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$23.75 - $30.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

Landwehr Construction Inc.

Rigger Foreman

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

$23 - $29.75/hr

High school diploma or equivalent. 2+ years rigging and Versa lift experience preferred ... Character Attributes/Behavioral Expectations: * Thorough understanding of machines and tools being ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO Films LLC

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

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Character Rigger information

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$14

$26

$36

How much do character rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for character rigger in the United States is $26.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Character Rigger do?

A Character Rigger is responsible for creating digital skeletons and control systems that allow 3D characters to move realistically in animations, films, and games. They build rigs that deform correctly and provide animators with intuitive controls for posing and motion. This role requires strong knowledge of anatomy, technical skills in software like Maya or Blender, and scripting abilities for automation. Riggers work closely with animators and modelers to ensure smooth character motion and realistic deformation.

How to become a character rigger?

To become a character rigger, you typically need a strong foundation in 3D modeling, animation, and rigging software such as Maya or Blender. Gaining skills in anatomy, weight painting, and scripting, along with a portfolio demonstrating rigging projects, is essential; some professionals also pursue relevant degrees or certifications in animation or computer graphics.

How much do character riggers make?

Character riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled riggers with proficiency in tools like Maya or Blender and a strong portfolio can command higher salaries, especially in larger studios or competitive markets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Character Rigger position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Rigger, you need strong knowledge of anatomy, animation principles, and technical proficiency in 3D rigging, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages like Python or MEL is highly valued. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are key soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities enable character riggers to build functional, efficient rigs that meet animators' needs and support seamless production workflows.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically in the film, television, or aerospace industries, where specialized skills in complex rigging, safety standards, and advanced equipment are required. Senior rigging supervisors or lead riggers with extensive experience and certifications can earn six-figure salaries, especially in high-budget productions or large-scale projects.

What does a typical day look like for a Character Rigger working on a production team?

A typical day for a Character Rigger involves creating or refining the skeletal structures and controls that allow 3D characters to move realistically in animation. You’ll often collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and technical directors to troubleshoot issues, implement feedback, and ensure rigs fit the artistic and technical requirements of the project. Daily tasks may include building new rigs, adjusting skin weights, writing scripts to automate repetitive processes, and participating in team meetings. This collaborative and iterative process helps ensure characters animate smoothly and efficiently throughout the production pipeline.

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

For a Character Rigger, salaries around $80,000 annually are common in experienced roles within the video game and animation industries, especially in larger studios or tech hubs. These positions often require strong skills in 3D modeling, rigging software like Maya or Blender, and a solid portfolio. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and company size.
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Character Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Rigger job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,114 per year, or $26 per hour.

Lead Character Artist

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Character Artist to join our dynamic team. As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of high-quality character assets. You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence.
Core Responsibilities
  • Lead the character art team in the creation of high-quality character models.
  • Collaborate with the Art Director to define the visual style of characters.
  • Sculpt, model, and texture characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project.
  • Contribute in planning, organization and prioritization of tasks with Production for internal, OS, and co dev partners.
  • Create and maintain character pipeline documentation for training and onboarding
  • Proactively identify risks in character art production timelines and effectively communicate risks to Production and Directors.
  • Mentor and provide feedback to other character artists.
  • Ensure character assets are optimized for performance and memory usage.
  • Work closely with rigging, animation, and technical art teams to ensure characters are ready for implementation.
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in character art.

Core Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in character art within the video game industry.
  • Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
  • Significant experience in Unreal Engine
  • Excellent understanding of anatomy, form, and silhouette.
  • Experience with PBR and hand-painted texturing workflows.
  • Proven track record of creating high-quality character models for AAA titles.
  • Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively across departments.

Plus if...
  • Experience with character rigging and skinning.
  • Knowledge of Marvelous Designer or similar tools for clothing simulation.
  • Experience with rigid body dynamics and cloth simulation in Unreal Engine
  • Previous work in a leadership role on a major game title.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeway.

The base pay range for this position is $170,000 to $200,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

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