ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Digital Matte Painter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

COSA VFX INC

Compositor

Sherman Oaks, CA · On-site

$65K - $150K/yr

... digital matte painting (DMP) integration, tracking, projections, color-correction, etc Finish shots independently on a tight episodic TV schedule and work effectively as part of a team collaborating ...

New

COSA VFX INC

Compositor

Sherman Oaks, CA · On-site

$65K - $150K/yr

... digital matte painting (DMP) integration, tracking, projections, color-correction, etc Finish shots independently on a tight episodic TV schedule and work effectively as part of a team collaborating ...

New

Company 3 / Method Inc.

Color Producer

New York, NY · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

They will bring strong knowledge of the digital editorial process, including the relationship ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

Company3

Color Producer

New York, NY · On-site

They will bring strong knowledge of the digital editorial process, including the relationship ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

All JobsDigital Matte Painter Jobs

Digital Matte Painter information

See salary details

$11

$21

$33

How much do digital matte painter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for digital matte painter in the United States is $21.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying digital art job?

The highest paying digital art jobs often include senior concept artists, art directors, and visual effects supervisors, especially in the film, gaming, and advertising industries. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills in software like Photoshop and Maya, and often involve leadership responsibilities, leading to higher salaries compared to entry-level positions.

What is a Digital Matte Painter job?

A Digital Matte Painter (DMP) is a visual effects (VFX) artist who creates realistic or stylized environments, landscapes, and backgrounds for films, TV shows, and video games. Using software like Photoshop, Nuke, or Maya, they paint or enhance digital scenes that would be too expensive or impossible to film in real life. DMPs collaborate with VFX supervisors and 3D artists to seamlessly integrate their work into live-action or CGI footage. Their goal is to create immersive, visually cohesive worlds that enhance storytelling.

What is the salary of matte painting artist?

The salary of a digital matte painter varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level artists may earn around $40,000, while experienced professionals working on major film or game projects can earn over $120,000. Skills in software like Photoshop and Nuke, along with a strong portfolio, can influence earning potential.

What are the daily responsibilities of a Digital Matte Painter in a typical studio setting?

As a Digital Matte Painter, your daily responsibilities typically involve creating realistic or stylized environment backgrounds by digitally painting over 2D and 3D elements to extend sets or create entire new worlds. You’ll collaborate closely with visual effects supervisors, 3D modelers, lighters, and compositors to ensure your matte paintings integrate seamlessly into live-action footage or animated sequences. Reviewing dailies, incorporating feedback, and adjusting your work to match evolving creative directions are common parts of the routine. Your role is both creative and technical, requiring you to balance artistic vision with practical constraints, making each day dynamic and engaging.

What does a digital matte painter do?

A digital matte painter creates detailed background images and environments for film, television, and video games using digital tools like Photoshop and 3D software. They design realistic or fantastical scenery to integrate seamlessly with live-action footage or CGI, often working closely with visual effects teams and requiring strong artistic and technical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Digital Matte Painter position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Digital Matte Painter, you need advanced skills in digital painting, composition, color theory, and a strong portfolio demonstrating visual effects or environment creation, often supported by a degree in art or a related field. Proficiency in tools like Adobe Photoshop, Maya, Nuke, and sometimes 3D modeling software is typically required, with certifications in these programs being an advantage. Attention to detail, collaboration, and effective time management are valuable soft skills for integrating seamlessly with VFX teams and meeting tight deadlines. These abilities are essential for producing high-quality visual backgrounds that align with the director’s vision and the project’s technical demands.

What software do matte painters use?

Digital matte painters typically use software such as Adobe Photoshop for creating detailed backgrounds and compositing, along with 3D applications like Autodesk Maya or Blender for integrating three-dimensional elements. Knowledge of these tools is essential for creating realistic visual effects and seamless environments in film and video production.
More about Digital Matte Painter jobs
What cities are hiring for Digital Matte Painter jobs? Cities with the most Digital Matte Painter job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Digital Matte Painter jobs? The most popular types of Digital Matte Painter jobs are:
What states have the most Digital Matte Painter jobs? States with the most job openings for Digital Matte Painter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Digital Matte Painter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Digital Matte Painter jobs are:
Digital Matte Painter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Digital Matte Painter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 23% Locum Tenens, 15% Internship, 8% As Needed, and 54% Full Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,394 per year, or $21.8 per hour.
GEORGIA, USA: Compositor & Digital Matte Painter: MID-SR

GEORGIA, USA: Compositor & Digital Matte Painter: MID-SR

Barnstorm VFX

Atlanta, GA • On-site

Temporary

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About Barnstorm
Barnstorm is an Emmy and VES-nominated visual effects studio based in Los Angeles and with operations in Vancouver, Montreal, Atlanta, NYC and the UK. We provide photo-realistic visual effects for a variety of episodic and select sequences in feature films. We pride ourselves in our artists' talent and dedication to producing world-class visual effects.
Who You Are
You are an experienced Nuke Compositor and Digital Matte Painter ready to jump into an exciting studio environment with a wide variety of projects. You have an advanced knowledge of Nuke Compositing techniques and a firm photographic grasp of light, depth of field, distortion, and motion blur. You have a strong creative vision and can add photo realistic Digital Matte Paintings with speed and precision. In addition to speed, you have the ability and passion to work on anything from paint outs, rotoscoping, and set extensions, to creating beautiful photo-real digital matte paintings.
What You'll Do
  • Effectively and seamlessly integrate elements with production footage, using rotoscoping, keying, painting, tracking, and other compositing techniques
  • Along with Leads, Supervisors, and other artists, collaborate with other departments to complete assigned tasks under tight deadlines and fast turnaround times.
  • Craft photorealistic digital paintings and environment elements that align with the project's visual style; using a blend of 2D and 3D tools including camera setup, projection modeling, animation, and light passes
  • Blend photographic textures, painted elements, and 3D assets to envision, create, and design immersive digital environments using techniques like camera animation, projection mapping, and advanced layering.
  • Seamlessly integrate your work into final shots, maintaining a consistent sense of lighting, depth, perspective, and color throughout the composition
  • Fuse traditional painting techniques with technical expertise in photography, modeling, and digital design to develop both 2D matte elements
  • Collaborate closely with VFX Supervisors to identify efficient workflows and ensure every plate aligns with creative concepts and production timelines
  • Deliver consistently high-quality work and troubleshoot technical problems on assigned shots.
  • Execute clients' vision to the highest standards.

What You Bring
  • 5+ years working in a photo real VFX environment; episodic experience preferred
  • Advance knowledge of Nuke
  • Mocha, Silhouette, experience preferred
  • Demonstrated Digital Matte Painting on reel
  • An ability to work with speed and accuracy in a high volume environment
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fast changing
  • Resourceful and able to take on all levels of task responsibilities from low to high and start to finish.
  • A thorough understanding of both feature film and television VFX production pipelines
  • An ability to interpret supervisor and client notes quickly and independently

About This Role
Note: At this time we are only accepting applications from those artists legally eligible to work in the USA.
Project and staff positions available with extended health benefits and opportunity to participate in RRSP programs.
Benefit plans are dependent on the local plan offering and employment status.
Barnstorm VFX is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive team that provides a meaningful work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Indigenous people, people of color, people of all genders or non-genders, and people with disabilities of all types are encouraged to apply. We thank everyone for their interest and application, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Apply