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Entry Level 3D Game Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZeniMax Media

Animator (First-Person)

Rockville, MD · On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

You have a college education or have had guided training focused on 3D animation. * You are competent in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender. * You have a passion for gaming and making GREAT games. * You have ...

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Entry Level 3D Game Animator information

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$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do entry level 3d game animator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level 3d game animator in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level 3D game animators in a collaborative development environment?

Entry level 3D game animators often face challenges such as adapting to diverse animation pipelines, learning proprietary software or game engines, and meeting tight production deadlines. Collaboration is key, as animators regularly work with designers, programmers, and artists to ensure animations align with gameplay and artistic vision. Communicating feedback, iterating on animations based on team input, and balancing creativity with technical constraints are essential skills to develop in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level 3D Game Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level 3D Game Animator, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, basic 3D modeling, and a relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating your abilities. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating in a team and bringing characters to life. These skills and qualities ensure that animations are technically sound, visually engaging, and consistent with the overall game vision.

What does an entry level 3D game animator do?

An entry level 3D game animator creates basic animations for characters, objects, and environments in video games. They work closely with senior animators and other team members to bring game assets to life, often using software like Maya or Blender. Typical tasks include rigging models, animating movements, and making sure animations meet technical and artistic requirements. Entry level animators may also assist with troubleshooting and optimizing animations for better game performance.

What is the difference between Entry Level 3D Game Animator vs Entry Level 3D Character Modeler?

AspectEntry Level 3D Game AnimatorEntry Level 3D Character Modeler
Required SkillsAnimation, rigging, storytellingModeling, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation teamsGame studios, character design teams
Common CertificationsPortfolio, basic animation coursesPortfolio, 3D modeling certifications
Industry UsageCreating character movements and animationsDesigning and building character models

While both roles require 3D skills and work in game development, Entry Level 3D Game Animators focus on bringing characters to life through movement, whereas Entry Level 3D Character Modelers specialize in creating the visual models. Understanding these differences helps job seekers target the right roles in the gaming industry.

More about Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level 3D Game Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Game Animator jobs? The most popular types of 3D Game Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs are:
Entry Level 3D Game Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level 3D Game Animator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 39% Full Time, 49% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 6% Summer. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.
Student TA - PRJ-3000-3050 - ANIMATION - 3D Game (Samson), F25-S26

Student TA - PRJ-3000-3050 - ANIMATION - 3D Game (Samson), F25-S26

DigiPen Institute of Technology

Redmond, WA • On-site

Part-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Applicants MUST be a current student at DigiPen Institute of Technology to qualify for this position.
  • Student Employment at DigiPen is open to all currently matriculated students if they meet the qualifications for the job.
  • Students may not work during any time when they have a class scheduled, a class is canceled, or a class ends early.
  • Student workers must reside within the State of Washington. Remote work outside of Washington will not be permitted.
Job Title: Student TA - PRJ-3000-3050 - ANIMATION - 3D Game (Samson), F25-S26
Reports to: Brigitte Samson
Class Times:
Fridays - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
TA work hours are to be scheduled outside of the Junior Lab hours, as they would conflict with your PRJ-402 Lab hours. (Tuesday 2:00 PM - 4:50 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM - 1:50 PM)
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assist students in working through their game art creation pipeline, from testing with proxies to establishing best practices to develop their unique game art asset look.
  • Review and advise on early versions of skeletons, rigs, planned animation, and workflow.
  • Identify and resolve issues with the game teams in regard to 3D game art assets, game camera, lighting, and material shaders and bring them to the instructor's attention.
  • Help students understand game creation phases to establish game mood and feel by supporting them to produce the targeted level of art assets required for various milestones. Support the creation of quick early placeholders/stand-ins and some art pieces establishing the look and feel by the end of the prototype phase, in the Fall, and completed 3D game art through the Spring milestones.
  • Assist the instructors and game teams outside of their two PRJ weekly labs.
    • Student TAs will arrange with instructors to schedule blocks of work hours. These will be variable based on Student TA's class schedule and PRJ students' needs, so they may be irregular but flexible.
  • Assist Junior game teams - help students work through their art creation process, art export pipeline issues, and team dynamics, along with best practice team management and communication, production planning, and scope feasibility by evaluating situations and providing timely expert advice, feedback, and learning resources.
  • Offer proactive support - occasionally check in with game teams just to ask what they are working on, how they are considering feedback received, and whether they have questions or require advice. This can be at any time the teams gather for work sessions outside of labs.
  • Maintain effective and ongoing communication with instructors, game teams, and other TAs, as well as other duties as assigned by the instructor.
    • Provide game teams with verbal and written feedback and/or submission videos.
    • Report troubles, ideas, course improvements, student issues, and team updates on a regular basis, in meetings and in writing, to the Instructors and other TAs.
  • Meet with the instructor monthly for performance feedback and duty modification.

Qualifications/Competencies
  • Must have a solid foundation as a generalist in 3D art production
  • Possess a high level of motivation and self-organization.
  • Possess a positive attitude toward learning and a willingness to help others excel.
  • Must be capable of evaluating team issues and articulating those core issues in a clear manner both back to the team and to the course instructors.
  • Must be willing and able to help students solve problems - not just identify problems
  • Strong communicator: Able to listen and communicate with art students effectively at their level of understanding. Effective and comfortable at discussing game art ideas and their creation process. Able to propose clear solutions steps to students who are still learning the basics.
  • Be comfortable interacting with other students in game teams on an instructional level as a TA, in production, technical, design, and/or artistic domains.
  • Should have the ability to work well remotely and in person
  • Accountable for tracking and reporting the amount of time worked

Experience
  • Ideal candidates will have created a 3D game in Unity/Unreal and can show a significant 3D art contribution in a team project. Can show applied knowledge of the fundamentals in creating art for a 3D game.
  • Have a solid applied knowledge of painting software.

Working Conditions
  • Available to work up to 8 hours per week from Fall AND Spring
    • Vacations and illnesses can be accommodated within reason; please keep your instructor informed.
  • Timely attendance to your assigned hours with complete focus.
  • Available via Teams chat and/or voice for scheduled meetings and work sessions.
  • Be able to work outside of the two Junior labs every week is required.
  • Be able to meet with students and teams in off hours - scheduling these ahead of time or working with game teams whenever you are available works better than regular office hours.

Expected dates of employment: September 2, 2025 - April 17, 2026
Expected number of hours per week: 8
*** Once again, students are not permitted to work during any time when they are scheduled for a class. ***
Wage Range:
$16.66 - 17.75 per hour, depending on number of terms worked at DigiPen
Requirements to Apply:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Current Semester Academic Schedule

Working Conditions:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; and fine finger dexterity. May need to lift up to 25 lbs. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing.
DigiPen Student Employee Academic Requirements:
  • Are currently a Matriculated student at DigiPen Institute of Technology
  • Good Academic Standing - not on Academic Warning as defined in DigiPen Course Catalog
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Have taken and passed PRJ-3050 or PRJ-352 with a B or better

Requirement Exceptions:
It is possible to still be selected for a position with DigiPen if you do not meet the requirements above, so don't let that dissuade you from applying!
Once you have applied for - and the supervisor decides to offer you - a position, we will contact the necessary managers (Supervisor, Department Chair, and/or the Dean of Faculty) to complete and sign off on an Academic Waiver form, depending on which requirements need to be waived. Once the Waiver is returned to us, we'll continue you through the hiring process.
Equal opportunity is a priority of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as the institution is committed to fostering a positive learning environment for all. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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