ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sunblink

Marketing Artist (Contract)

Boulder, CO · On-site +1

$131K - $157K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange characters and items for screenshots and keyart, and polish them to perfection to highlight the best ...

Sunblink

Marketing Artist (Contract)

Boulder, CO

$131K - $157K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange characters and items for screenshots and keyart, and polish them to perfection to highlight the best ...

Nintendo

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

THIS IS AN ONSITE CONTRACT POSITION - Austin, TX Position includes: * Paid weekly * Health care ... Collaborate with the Art Director, Artists, and Designers to define the look of our games by ...

Nintendo

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

THIS IS AN ONSITE CONTRACT POSITION - Austin, TX Position includes: * Paid weekly * Health care ... Collaborate with the Art Director, Artists, and Designers to define the look of our games by ...

Sunblink

Marketing Artist (Contract) (Remote)

Boulder, CO · Remote

$130K - $155K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange characters and items for screenshots and keyart, and polish them to perfection to highlight the best ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Artist Jobs

Contract Artist information

See salary details

$9

$24

$40

How much do contract artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract artist in the United States is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do contract jobs pay well?

Contract artists' pay varies based on experience, project complexity, and industry demand. Skilled contract artists working on high-profile projects or with specialized tools can earn competitive rates, but overall compensation depends on the scope and duration of each contract.

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

To thrive as a Contract Artist, you need a strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skill, creativity, and proficiency in your chosen medium (such as illustration, 3D modeling, or graphic design), often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Maya, or Blender is typically required, and certifications or specialized training can be advantageous. Strong communication, time management, and adaptability are crucial for collaborating with clients, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to shifting project needs. These skills ensure you can deliver high-quality work on schedule and maintain positive, professional relationships with clients and teams.

What is an artist contract?

An artist contract is a legal agreement between an artist and a client or employer that outlines the scope of work, payment terms, deadlines, rights, and responsibilities. For contract artists, such agreements are essential to define project details, usage rights, and compensation, ensuring clarity and protection for both parties.

How much do freelance artists get paid?

Freelance artists' earnings vary widely based on experience, specialization, and project scope, with rates typically ranging from $20 to $100 or more per hour. Many freelance artists set their own rates and may charge per project or by the hour, often using tools like contracts and portfolios to attract clients.

What types of projects and collaboration can a Contract Artist expect?

As a Contract Artist, you may work on a wide variety of creative projects, such as illustrations, character designs, concept art, or digital assets for games and marketing materials, depending on the industry and client needs. Most contract roles involve collaborating closely with creative directors, project managers, or marketing teams to align your work with overall project goals. Communication is key, as you’ll typically discuss project briefs, receive feedback, and iterate on your artwork remotely or as part of a distributed team. Being able to effectively incorporate feedback and adapt to different artistic styles or brand guidelines is essential for success and client satisfaction.

What is the highest paid job in art?

In the art field, roles such as art directors and creative directors tend to have the highest salaries, often earning six-figure incomes. These positions typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools and project management.

What is a Contract Artist job?

A Contract Artist is a freelance or temporary visual artist hired to create artwork for specific projects. They work with clients or companies across various industries, such as gaming, advertising, publishing, and entertainment. Contract Artists typically specialize in areas like illustration, graphic design, animation, or concept art. Their responsibilities may include designing characters, environments, branding materials, or promotional visuals. Since they work on a contract basis, they may juggle multiple projects simultaneously and must manage deadlines and client expectations efficiently.

More about Contract Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Artist jobs? Cities with the most Contract Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Artist jobs? The most popular types of Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Artist jobs are:
Contract Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,263 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Marketing Artist (Contract)

Sunblink

Boulder, CO • On-site, Remote

$131K - $157K/yr

Contractor

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Marketing Artist
This is a ~30 hour/week contract position.
Get into Unity, beautifully arrange characters and items for screenshots and keyart, and polish them to perfection to highlight the best of Hello Kitty Island Adventure.
Core Responsibilities
  • Create high-quality, character-focused promotional art packages for marketing campaigns and product updates
  • Collaborate with marketing and art leadership to ensure alignment with brand guidelines and game aesthetics
  • Balance planned work with emergent marketing opportunities, communicating feasibility and proposing trade-offs where necessary
Required Experience
  • 2D art background with an ability to demonstrate work in a similar style to Hello Kitty Island Adventure's marketing initiatives
  • Strong eye for composition, lighting, and color that tells a story
  • Ability to seamlessly blend, paint over, and polish 3D renders to create a cohesive single image
  • Proficient in graphic design with a keen eye for creating visually balanced and harmonious compositions
  • Ability to quickly synthesize game art style and brand guidelines, responding well to feedback
  • Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills
  • Availability during standard business hours (US Mountain Time) to collaborate with teammates in real-time
Bonus Experience
  • 3D and/or Unity experience for manipulating in-game assets to create 2D promotional images
  • Deep understanding of kawaii aesthetics and current trends in cozy game marketing
  • Experience breaking down 2D assets into clean layered pieces ready for use in animation software such as Spine
  • Skilled in logo design with a focus on visual identity
  • Experience creating marketing art for an established IP

Hours & Expectations
This is a 3 month initial contract with opportunities for extension depending on project status and work compatibility. We expect 30-40 hours a week most weeks.
Help Enrich Our World
We encourage underrepresented applicants to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications.
Transparency in AI Usage
If you're using ChatGPT or other AI to write your cover letter, please disclose it with a brief initial sentence (and whether you are or aren't, please let us know your favorite Sanrio character, too). We consider transparency in AI usage important.
If you utilize AI in your concept process, please let us know how, and clearly disclose pieces with AI in their pipeline.

Apply