ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Steamroller Animation

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Status: This is a 1099 Contract position. * Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware ...

Catface

Contract 3D Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Collaborate with management and fellow artists to create polished, high-converting YouTube thumbnail assets. * Create accurate 3D character models, props, and environments that align with video ...

Seattle Rep

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$50/hr

Contract/Hourly Benefits: Non benefit eligible Pay Range: $50/hour for teaching time, $24/hour for ... Bold stories, brilliant artists, and passionate audiences come together to shape each season at ...

Seattle Rep

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA

$50/hr

Contract/Hourly Benefits: Non benefit eligible Pay Range: $50/hour for teaching time, $24/hour for ... Bold stories, brilliant artists, and passionate audiences come together to shape each season at ...

Seattle Rep

Teaching Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$50/hr

Contract/Hourly Benefits: Non benefit eligible Pay Range: $50/hour for teaching time, $24/hour for ... Bold stories, brilliant artists, and passionate audiences come together to shape each season at ...

SUNY Plattsburgh

Contract Associate

Plattsburgh, NY · On-site

$60K/yr

The Contract Associate provides professional administrative, procurement, and contract management ... And we are committed to providing each and every Cardinal student a high quality liberal arts ...

McCarter Theatre Center

Teaching Artist

Princeton, NJ · On-site

$25 - $75/hr

Contract opportunities are available throughout the season, from September 1 through June 30. POSITION SUMMARY McCarter Theatre Center is seeking dynamic, collaborative Teaching Artists to lead ...

Peraton

Graphic Artist

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a Graphic Artist to join the USCYBERCOM team in the Fort Meade ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

Peraton

Graphic Artist

Fort George G Meade, MD

$104K - $166K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a Graphic Artist to join the USCYBERCOM team in the Fort Meade ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All Jobsfreelance JobsArts and Entertainment JobsArts JobsArtist JobsContract Artist Jobs

Contract Artist information

See salary details

$9

$24

$40

How much do contract artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 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.

What is a contract artist?

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.

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 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.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 44% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,263 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Senior Unreal Lighting Artist (Contract)

Steamroller Animation

NY • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

About the role

As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren’t just placing lights; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for the final look of cinematic sequences, translating mood, atmosphere, and narrative intent into the technical reality of Unreal Engine 5.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who doesn't wait for a list of instructions but instead looks at a shot and asks, "How can I make this look even better?" You will be embedded with our client’s team, collaborating directly with their Lead/Supervising Artist, while representing the high standards of Steamroller Animation.

What you’ll do

  • Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.
  • Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.
  • Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel solutions for shots to ensure visual continuity across sequences.
  • Fine-tune light properties, surface shaders, and post-process volumes (bloom, fog, color grading) to achieve gold-standard visuals.
  • Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.
  • Work seamlessly within the client’s internal pipeline, maintaining clear communication and a solution-oriented mindset.
  • Ensure lighting setups are optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience as a Lighting Artist in video games or high-end animation (Senior to Upper-Senior level).
  • Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine 5, specifically using Sequencer and Movie Render Queue (MRQ).
  • A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, value, and composition.
  • Experience with Maya and version control systems like Perforce or GitHub.
  • Ability to take direction from a Lead/Art Director and translate feedback into beautiful visuals.
  • This role is remote but requires significant overlap with USEastern Time (EST) working hours to collaborate effectively with the project team.
Contract & Equipment
  • Status: This is a 1099 Contract position.
  • Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware requirements will be discussed during the interview process. Any hardware upgrades required for smooth operations and performance are the responsibility of the artist.
Bonus Skills
  • Experience with Blueprints to enhance lighting or environmental effects.
  • Background in live TV, concerts, or virtual production (AR/XR).
  • Experience in a lead or mentor capacity.
  • Knowledge of secondary software like Photoshop or Nuke for LookDev.
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply