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Contract 3D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tolan

3D Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Role We're hiring an artist to help build the 3D world of Tolan. You'll create beautiful ... Have worked on character-driven products where personality and expressiveness matter. * Have ...

Prisms VR

3D Artist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

As a 3D Artist, you will craft characters, environments, and educational 3D motion graphic ... Retargeting character animation using mocap data; * Scene Layout and Lighting in Unity; * Creating ...

Swaybox Studios

3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA

The 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist will focus on tracking environments and character features (such as: face, hands, legs, etc.) with a handoff to the layout, animation, and compositing teams. This ...

Swaybox Studios

3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

The 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist will focus on tracking environments and character features (such as: face, hands, legs, etc.) with a handoff to the layout, animation, and compositing teams. This ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Bjak

3D Animator

Charleston, WV · Remote

... junior artists and helping define animation standards across the organization. Key ... Develop engaging character, object, and environmental animations that communicate ideas effectively.

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All JobsContract 3D Character Artist Jobs

Contract 3D Character Artist information

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$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

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

As of Aug 7, 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?

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

Concept Character Artist - (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

General Information
Locations: Vancouver - Great Northern Way, British Columbia, Canada
  • Location: Los Angeles - Chatsworth
  • State: California
  • Country: United States of America

Role ID
214768
Worker Type
Regular Employee
Studio/Department
EA Studios - Respawn
Work Model
Hybrid
Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
Character Concept Artist - Apex Legends
We are seeking a Concept Artist I to join the Apex Legends team. In this role, you will help create compelling visual designs that define the characters, cosmetics and visual identity of Apex Legends. You will apply strong artistic fundamentals, character design sensibilities, and storytelling skills to bring memorable heroes, skins, and visual experiences to life while supporting both gameplay needs and the evolving aesthetic of a live service game.
You will work closely with the Character Concept Art Lead, Art Directors, and your immediate team to deliver high-quality concept work while collaborating with external partners to help maintain Apex Legends' visual quality and style standards. The ideal candidate is a strong visual problem solver who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about creating bold, iconic designs.
What You'll Do
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Lead and immediate team to create compelling character concept art that supports gameplay, player fantasy, and the Apex Legends experience.
  • Design high-quality characters, cosmetics, outfits, accessories and visual explorations that align with the game's established visual language, player fantasy, and style.
  • Apply a strong understanding of anatomy, costume and apparel design, shape language, silhouette, facial expression, gesture, color theory, lighting, materials, and visual storytelling in all concept work.
  • Translate creative direction into clear, production-ready visual solutions that can be effectively executed by downstream teams.
  • Create compelling character explorations and illustrations that communicate personality, narrative intent, cultural influences, player fantasy, and world-building through visual design.
  • Utilize 3D tools to support concept development, including block-ins, posing, lighting, camera setup, and perspective assistance.
  • Contribute to animation, FX, and cinematic ideation when needed, including basic storyboarding, pose exploration, expression sheets, and motion concepts.
  • Participate actively in team critiques and feedback sessions, iterating quickly to improve quality and alignment with project goals.
  • Support external development efforts by reviewing outsourced work and providing actionable feedback to ensure consistency with Apex Legends' quality and artistic standards.
  • Design within gameplay, technical, and production constraints, ensuring concepts are achievable and production-friendly.
  • Stay informed on emerging tools, workflows, and production methodologies, helping improve efficiency and creative iteration across the team.
  • Contribute to team growth by sharing knowledge, workflows, and best practices with peers.

Ideally, You Will Have
  • 3+ years of experience as a Concept Artist in games, entertainment, or a related industry.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic fundamentals, including anatomy, character design, costume and apparel design, gesture, color, composition, lighting, materials, and perspective.
  • Proven ability to create clear, production-ready concepts that effectively communicate design intent.
  • Strong understanding of character design principles, including anatomy, costume construction, shape language, silhouette, gesture, facial expression, and visual storytelling.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard digital painting software and familiarity with 3D tools commonly used in concept workflows.
  • Understanding of visual storytelling, composition, cinematography, and player-facing readability.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Ability to incorporate feedback quickly and iterate effectively in a fast-paced production setting.
  • Experience supporting or mentoring junior artists is a plus.
  • Openness to learning and adopting new tools, workflows, and emerging technologies that improve efficiency and creative development.

Pay Transparency - North America
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
PAY RANGES
* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$92,900 - $129,200 CAD
* California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$104,400 - $157,400 USD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.
In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
About Electronic Arts
We're proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.

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