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Entry Level Visual Effects Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IDW

Motion Designer

Oakland, CA · On-site

W work collaboratively with clients, internal designers, and production artists to create stand ... We're looking for a designer that lives for animation and visual effects can work out of our ...

WPP Production

Flame Artist

New York, NY · On-site

$125K - $295K/yr

Flame Artist is a top-tier VFX and finishing specialist who uses Autodesk Flame to lead high-end visual effects, conform, color grade, and final deliverables for commercials, film, and digital media

Realtimevfx

Graphic Programmer (Shader/VFX)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Product -- hyper-casual mobile games where every visual detail matters -- satisfying effects ... Creative and artistic eye -- style, color, composition * Unity/HLSL (Unreal/GLSL also fine ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Immersive Artist

Austin, TX

$55K - $126K/yr

You'll expand your skills and learn lighting techniques and visual effects (VFX), as we support and encourage professional and artistic growth. As part of our innovation laboratory, you'll also get ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Immersive Artist

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$55K - $126K/yr

You'll expand your skills and learn lighting techniques and visual effects (VFX), as we support and encourage professional and artistic growth. As part of our innovation laboratory, you'll also get ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Immersive Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$55K - $126K/yr

You'll expand your skills and learn lighting techniques and visual effects (VFX), as we support and encourage professional and artistic growth. As part of our innovation laboratory, you'll also get ...

Socket.dev

Video Editor/VFX Artist

Lehi, UT · On-site

$60 - $85/hr

About the Role We're looking for a Video Editor / VFX Artist to join our post-production team ... This role blends technical editing precision with creative visual effects work to produce polished ...

NCSU

Assistant or Associate Professor

Raleigh, NC · On-site

... Arts, Design and Technology with a focus on Visual Effects for Interactive Media and Virtual Production (Games Design and Development, Virtual and Mixed Reality, 2D and 3D animation, kinetic and ...

24-MAG LLC

Cycling Instructor

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

... Effects Artist, Surfacing Artist, Photographer, Director, Digital Projectionist, or comparable visual specialistExceptional ability to identify pixel-level flaws, artifacts, and visual ...

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Entry Level Visual Effects Artist information

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$36.5K

$107.8K

$152.5K

How much do entry level visual effects artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level visual effects artist in the United States is $107,828.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level visual effects artist?

Entry level visual effects (VFX) artists are professionals who create digital effects for film, television, video games, and other media, usually as part of a larger VFX team. At the entry level, these artists typically work on basic tasks such as compositing, rotoscoping, or creating simple visual elements under the guidance of more experienced artists. Their work helps bring imaginative visuals to life, often enhancing or altering live-action footage to achieve the desired look for a project. They use specialized software like Adobe After Effects, Nuke, or Autodesk Maya, and are expected to have a solid understanding of visual storytelling, attention to detail, and teamwork. Entry level VFX artists often build their skills and portfolios with the goal of advancing to more complex roles within the industry.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level visual effects artists when starting out in the industry?

Entry level visual effects artists often encounter challenges such as adapting to fast-paced production schedules, learning to use complex industry-standard software, and effectively incorporating feedback from supervisors. Collaborating with other team members, including animators, compositors, and directors, can also present a learning curve as clear communication and understanding of the production pipeline are essential. However, these challenges provide valuable opportunities to develop technical skills and build strong professional relationships within the studio environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level visual effects artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Visual Effects Artist, you need a solid understanding of digital art fundamentals, animation, and compositing, usually supported by a degree or coursework in visual effects, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, Nuke, and Photoshop is essential, with some studios preferring basic knowledge of scripting or coding. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills help you stand out and collaborate effectively within production pipelines. These skills and qualities ensure you can produce high-quality visual effects that meet project requirements and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Visual Effects Artist vs Junior Visual Effects Artist?

AspectEntry Level Visual Effects ArtistJunior Visual Effects Artist
Required CredentialsPortfolio, basic knowledge of VFX softwarePortfolio, some professional experience or internship
Work EnvironmentEntry-level projects, supervised tasksAssisting senior artists, learning workflows
Employer & Industry UsageVFX studios, film, gaming, advertisingVFX studios, post-production houses

Both roles typically require a portfolio and familiarity with VFX software. The Entry Level Visual Effects Artist is often just starting out, focusing on learning and assisting, while the Junior Visual Effects Artist has some professional experience and takes on more responsibilities under supervision. The roles are similar but differ mainly in experience level and scope of work.

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Entry Level Visual Effects Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Visual Effects Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,828 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

3D Environmental Artist

Science Applications International Corporation

Orlando, FL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Create and modify 3D models for airport infrastructure and environmental objects.

  • Assemble airport environments using source imagery, drawings, GIS data, and reference photos.

  • Verify models for proper scale, placement, texture mapping, and rendering performance.

SAIC rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

103rd of 226 rated it services

Job description


The 3D Environmental Artist is an entry-to-mid-level technical artist responsible for supporting the development, modification, and maintenance of airport Visual Databases (VDBs). Working under the direction of a senior VDB Developer, this individual creates and refines 3D assets, terrain features, airport infrastructure, environmental elements, and supporting visual content that contribute to realistic, operationally accurate airport environments.
This position focuses on implementing the senior VDB Developer's vision by constructing detailed airport environments, creating high-quality 3D assets, and ensuring visual fidelity while meeting real-time simulation performance requirements.
Key Responsibilities
3D Asset Development:
  • Create and modify 3D models for airport terminals, control towers, hangars, buildings, signage, lighting, fencing, vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure.
  • Produce optimized assets suitable for real-time simulation while maintaining high visual quality.
  • Create and apply textures, materials, and lighting using modern PBR workflows.
  • Develop reusable asset libraries for common airport structures and environmental objects.

Airport Environment Construction:
  • Assemble airport environments from source imagery, engineering drawings, GIS data, and reference photography.
  • Place and align airport objects according to the design guidance provided by senior VDB Developers.
  • Build terrain features, roadways, parking areas, vegetation, and surrounding landmarks.
  • Implement runway markings, taxiway signage, lighting systems, and airport infrastructure.
  • Support development of airport environments for all designated FAA Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs).

Visual Refinement & Optimization:
  • Improve visual quality through texture refinement, lighting adjustments, and asset optimization.
  • Support development of environmental effects including day/night operations, seasonal conditions, and weather visualization.
  • Assist with animation of environmental objects and airport assets where required.
  • Optimize models to maintain required simulation performance.

Quality Assurance Support:
  • Verify models for proper scale, placement, texture mapping, and rendering performance.
  • Correct visual defects identified during QA reviews.
  • Participate in iterative design reviews with senior developers and subject matter experts.
  • Ensure all assets comply with established modeling, naming, and performance standards.

Repository & Configuration Support:
  • Maintain models, textures, and supporting files within the program configuration management system.
  • Follow version control procedures for all visual assets.
  • Package assets for integration into the Visual Database.
  • Maintain organized project documentation and asset libraries.

Collaboration:
  • Work closely with senior VDB Developers, Scenario Developers, Systems Engineers, and software developers.
  • Participate in Agile sprint planning, backlog refinement, and design reviews.
  • Support rapid implementation of airport modifications and visual updates.

Qualifications
Required Education:
  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
    • Computer Graphics
    • Game Art
    • Digital Media
    • Animation
    • Visual Effects (VFX)
    • Environmental Design
    • Architecture
    • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    • A related technical or artistic discipline
  • An Associate's degree, technical certification, portfolio, or equivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.

Required Experience:
  • Professional experience is preferred but not required. Ideal candidates will demonstrate knowledge, coursework, internships, or personal project work in one or more of the following areas:
    • 3D modeling, rendering, or environment creation for games, simulation, visualization, or digital media.
    • Modern 3D modeling software such as Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent
    • Creation of optimized assets for real-time rendering
    • Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials and texturing workflows
    • Interpretation of aerial imagery, engineering drawings, or reference photography
    • Basic understanding of version control systems
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating technical ability and artistic quality may be considered in lieu of professional experience.

Required Clearance:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Experience:
  • Flight simulation scenery development (Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D, DCS, etc.)
  • Airport scenery creation or aviation-related environments
  • Unreal Engine or Unity
  • GIS data processing and terrain development
  • OpenFlight or Common Database (CDB/OpenCDB)
  • Familiarity with FAA airport diagrams and aviation charting
  • Experience working in Agile software development environments

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Proficiency with 3D modeling and texturing tools such as Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent
  • Understanding of real-time rendering and performance optimization techniques
  • Ability to accurately implement designs and direction provided by senior VDB Developers
  • Strong artistic eye for detail, scale, lighting, and environmental realism
  • Ability to rapidly incorporate review feedback and iterate on designs
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Collaborative team player capable of working across multidisciplinary teams including VDB Developers, Scenario Developers, Systems Engineers, and software developers

About Us
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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