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Contract 3D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior) thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to join our team! Responsibilities: * Create 3D characters and cosmetics in a visual style aligned ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

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 ...

teamLFG

3D Character Art Lead

$153K - $230K/yr

As a leader for the character art team, you'll demonstrate a balance of artistic expertise with a ... Responsibilities: • Lead 3D character art and coordinate work with a multidisciplinary team ...

teamLFG

OR

As a leader for the character art team, you'll demonstrate a balance of artistic expertise with a ... Responsibilities: Lead 3D character art and coordinate work with a multidisciplinary team ...

Scattermesh

3D Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

The role requires a skilled artist with strong understanding of lighting and rendering ... Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures and shaders to ...

Scattermesh

3D Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

The role requires a skilled artist with strong understanding of lighting and rendering ... Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures and shaders to ...

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All JobsContract 3D Character Artist Jobs

Contract 3D Character Artist information

See salary details

$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do contract 3d character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 3d 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 Contract 3D Character Artist?

A Contract 3D Character Artist is a professional who creates three-dimensional models of characters for use in video games, movies, animation, or other digital media, typically working on a freelance or project-based contract. Their responsibilities include sculpting, texturing, and sometimes rigging characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of a project. Contract artists often collaborate remotely with game studios, animation companies, or creative agencies, providing their expertise for specific durations or deliverables. This role requires strong artistic skills, proficiency with 3D modeling software like Blender, Maya, or ZBrush, and the ability to adapt to different art styles as needed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract 3D Character Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract 3D Character Artist, you typically need strong artistic abilities in anatomy, modeling, texturing, and a portfolio demonstrating relevant experience. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter is essential, and familiarity with real-time engines like Unreal Engine or Unity is often required. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure high-quality character assets are delivered on time and align with project requirements in a collaborative production environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract 3D Character Artists when working with remote teams?

Contract 3D Character Artists often collaborate with remote art directors, animators, and game developers, which can lead to challenges like communication delays and interpreting feedback without in-person context. Staying aligned with the project's artistic vision and managing different time zones can also be demanding. To succeed, artists should proactively document their work, ask clarifying questions, and utilize collaborative tools to share progress and receive timely feedback. Building strong communication habits ensures smoother workflows and helps maintain consistency in character design across the team.

What is the difference between Contract 3D Character Artist vs 3D Modeler?

AspectContract 3D Character Artist3D Modeler
CredentialsPortfolio, proficiency in character creation softwarePortfolio, proficiency in modeling software
Work EnvironmentFreelance or project-based, often in gaming, film, or animationStudio or freelance, across various industries including gaming, architecture, product design
Industry UsagePrimarily in entertainment, gaming, and animationBroadly used in entertainment, industrial design, architecture

The Contract 3D Character Artist specializes in creating detailed, stylized, or realistic characters for entertainment projects, focusing on anatomy, textures, and expressions. In contrast, a 3D Modeler may work on a wider range of objects, environments, or assets. While both roles require strong modeling skills and software proficiency, the Contract 3D Character Artist emphasizes character-specific features and storytelling through design.

More about Contract 3D Character Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract 3D Character Artist jobs? Cities with the most Contract 3D Character Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Artist jobs? The most popular types of 3D Character Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Contract 3D Character Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract 3D Character Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract 3D Character Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract 3D Character Artist jobs are:
Contract 3D Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract 3D Character Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, and 75% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.
3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

thatgamecompany

Los Angeles, CA • Remote

$81K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to join our team!

Responsibilities:

  • Create 3D characters and cosmetics in a visual style aligned with the world of Sky

  • Skinning character and cosmetic assets

  • Collaborate with project leads, concept artists, designers, and engineers

  • Brainstorm ideas and create rapid 3D prototypes during the concept and design phase

  • Support the rest of the 3D team to create character assets

  • Review and fix bugs of all complexities

  • Contribute to documentation and resource libraries for the art department

  • Promote, contribute to, and participate in a culture of inclusion and diversity

Must Haves:

  • Online portfolio demonstrating character art skills

  • 3+ years of experience as a 3D Character Artist at a game studio

  • Proficient modeling skills in Maya or equivalent

  • Self-motivated, humble, and a team player

  • Open-minded and able to implement feedback from peers and art directors in a timely manner

  • Passion for creating memorable characters for games

  • Understanding of Industry Standard Software such as Photoshop, ZBrush, and Texture Creation/Material Editing (Substance Painter/Unity)

  • Familiarity with Maya rigging/skinning

Nice to Haves:

  • A passionate Gamer

  • A Sky Player

  • Human Anatomy & Animal Anatomy knowledge

  • Understanding of clothing construction and real-world materials

  • Strive to create a gaming experience that brings a positive impact to the gaming world

  • Experience creating a game from the ground up

  • Portfolio demonstrating a variety of art styles


Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S or Canada. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
The salary range for this position is $81,000 USD to $114,000 USD annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices.
Employees in this position are eligible to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, and paid time off.

Our base pay is benchmarked against regional market and industry data and is adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your specific geographic area.

We look forward to meeting you!
#L1-Remote