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Character Rigging Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping.

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping.

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping.

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging or prototyping.

Roblox

Senior 3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ... quality facial rigging/expression work * Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation ...

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All JobsCharacter Rigging JobsCharacter Rigging Jobs in California

Character Rigging information

See California salary details

$10

$18

$37

How much do character rigging jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for character rigging in California is $18.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do character riggers get paid?

Character riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level riggers may start lower, while experienced professionals working on high-profile projects or in major studios can earn higher salaries. Skills in software like Maya or Blender and a strong portfolio can influence earning potential.

What Are Character Rigging Jobs?

Character rigging is the process of creating an animated person, animal, or other moving object and adding features for movement to make it look more realistic or to match the flow of the storyline. In this role, you develop characters for cartoon shows, animated films, and video games. You create the framework of the character using rigging tools such as Maya or Motionbuilder and manipulate the character to make it jump, run, smile, or do other actions. Once the framework is set, you may add physical features, such as skins and facial shapes, to be used by the animator to develop the movement flow within the show or game.

How to become a character rigger?

To become a character rigger, you should develop skills in 3D modeling, rigging, and animation using software like Maya or Blender. A relevant degree or certification in animation, computer graphics, or a related field can be helpful, along with a strong portfolio demonstrating rigging projects and knowledge of anatomy and movement. Gaining experience through internships or personal projects is also valuable for building a professional skill set.

What is character rigging?

Character rigging is the process of creating a digital skeleton for a character model so that it can be posed and animated in 3D software. Riggers add bones, joints, and control systems to a character, allowing animators to move and deform the model realistically. This is a crucial step in the animation pipeline for films, video games, and visual effects, enabling expressive and lifelike character movements.

What are some typical challenges faced in a character rigging role, and how can they be addressed?

Character rigging artists often encounter challenges such as creating rigs that are both flexible for animators and efficient for real-time rendering. Balancing complexity with usability, ensuring deformation looks natural, and maintaining performance in game engines are common hurdles. Collaboration with modelers and animators is essential to iterate on rigs quickly based on feedback. Staying updated with the latest rigging tools and scripting techniques can greatly help in overcoming these challenges and delivering high-quality rigs on tight production schedules.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically senior or lead character rigging positions in large animation studios, film production, or AAA game development, often offering salaries above $100,000 annually. These roles require advanced skills in rigging, scripting, and experience with industry-standard tools like Maya or Blender, along with a strong portfolio and sometimes certifications. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and project scope.

What do character riggers do?

Character riggers create the skeletal structures and control systems that enable 3D characters to move and be animated. They use software like Maya or Blender to build rigs, ensuring characters can perform natural and complex motions for animation projects.

What is the difference between Character Rigging vs 3D Modeler?

AspectCharacter Rigging3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating skeletons and controls for character animationModeling 3D objects and characters
Skills RequiredRigging techniques, anatomy, software like Maya or BlenderModeling, texturing, topology, software like Maya, Blender, 3ds Max
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, VFXGame studios, film, animation, product visualization
CertificationsOften not mandatory but relevant courses in rigging and animationOften not mandatory but relevant in modeling and design courses

While both roles work closely in 3D production, Character Rigging specializes in creating the underlying structure for animation, whereas a 3D Modeler focuses on building the visual and geometric aspects of models. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as a Character Rigger, you need a solid grasp of anatomy, 3D modeling, and an understanding of animation principles, usually supported by a background in computer graphics or animation. Expertise in industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills make a rigger stand out when collaborating with animators and modelers. These skills ensure character rigs are both functional and intuitive, resulting in smooth animation workflows and high-quality visual output.
More about Character Rigging jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Character Rigging jobs in California? The most popular types of Character Rigging jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Character Rigging jobs in California? For Character Rigging jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Character Rigging jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Character Rigging jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Character Rigging jobs? Cities in California with the most Character Rigging job openings:
Character Rigging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Rigging job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,160 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Animation Intern (Unpaid for Course Credit Only)

Dreamscape Learn

Culver City, CA

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

We're looking for a creative and motivated Animation Intern to support our design and content team. This internship is ideal for students interested in animation, motion graphics, and storytelling who want hands-on experience working on real projects in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with creating 3D animations for digital experiences
  • Help with props, vehicles, basic character or environment animation
  • Collaborate with designers, artists, and cross-functional teams to bring
  • concepts to life
  • Revise animations based on feedback and project needs
  • Help organize animation assets and files

Requirements

  • Currently enrolled student pursuing Animation, Motion Design, Game Design, or a related field
  • Familiarity with animation principles (timing, spacing, squash & stretch, etc.)
  • Experience or coursework using tools such as Premiere Pro, Blender, Maya, Unity, or similar
  • Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn
  • Ability to take direction and meet deadlines
  • Portfolio or samples of animation work (class projects welcome)

Nice to Have

  • Experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or interactive media
  • Basic drawing, 3D modeling, or rigging skills
  • Interest in immersive, educational, or interactive experiences
  • Previously played vr games content

Benefits

  • Real-world animation experience on active projects
  • Mentorship and feedback from experienced creatives
  • Portfolio-worthy work
  • Exposure to a professional creative production pipeline
  • Exposure to real world tracking documents like Jira, Confluence and Shotgun
  • School credit (as approved by your academic program)

Disclaimer: This internship is an unpaid educational opportunity intended to provide training and experience related to Human Resource Management. It is offered for academic credit only in connection with an accredited educational program. Participation is designed for the benefit of the student and does not create an employment relationship. Interns will not displace regular employees and will work under close supervision to support their learning experience. Completion of this internship does not entitle the intern to a job at Dreamscape Learn (or continued employment) at the conclusion of the program.

Apply