ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Environment Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Environment Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

... high quality environments for games * Collaborative mindset while working closely with other ... Strong artistic ability to visualize entire levels and detail with minimal concept art and ...

Naughty Dog

Environment Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

... high quality environments for games * Collaborative mindset while working closely with other ... Strong artistic ability to visualize entire levels and detail with minimal concept art and ...

Epic Games

Senior Environment Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Our Senior Environment Artists are highly talented, creative, and versatile individuals who build the aesthetically groundbreaking and technically advanced environments used in our games. In this ...

Astrid Entertainment

Senior Environment Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

We are currently seeking a Senior Environment Artist to become a vital part of our team. We are looking for an individual who has a passion for co-op games that offer players creative tools to craft ...

Thatgamecompany

3D Environment Artist (Sky)

$60K/yr

As an Environment Artist, you will work with the Creative Director, Art Leads, Vis Dev Artists and other Environment Artists to create landscapes, spaces, and models for the world of Sky: Children of ...

Rockstar Games

Artist: Environment

Andover, MA

$128K - $154K/yr

Rockstar is on the lookout for a talented Environment Artist with a passion for game development. This is a full-time, in-office position based out of Rockstar's development studio in Andover, MA.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEnvironment Artist Jobs

Environment Artist information

See salary details

$10

$30

$50

How much do environment artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for environment artist in the United States is $30.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Environment Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environment Artist, you need strong artistic abilities in 3D modeling, texturing, and a solid understanding of color, composition, and lighting, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine or Unity, as well as familiarity with PBR workflows, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure the creation of immersive, visually compelling environments that enhance the overall quality and storytelling of games or films.

What is the highest paid art job?

In the field of environment art, senior roles such as Lead Environment Artist or Art Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions require extensive experience, advanced skills in 3D modeling and software like Unreal Engine or Maya, and leadership responsibilities within game or film development teams.

How does an Environment Artist typically collaborate with other departments during a game development project?

Environment Artists work closely with level designers, concept artists, and technical artists to ensure that the visual aspects of the game's world align with gameplay requirements and artistic vision. This collaboration often involves regular meetings to discuss level layouts, asset requirements, and optimization needs. Environment Artists may also coordinate with lighting artists and programmers to ensure environments are both visually appealing and technically efficient. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as changes in design or gameplay can impact how environments are built or adjusted throughout development.

What is the difference between Environment Artist vs Environment Designer?

AspectEnvironment ArtistEnvironment Designer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in art, 3D modeling, or related fieldOften requires a background in game design, art, or related discipline
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily in 3D modeling software, game engines, and art toolsFocuses on conceptualizing and designing environment layouts and gameplay spaces
Industry UsageCommonly employed in game development, film, and animationPrimarily used in game design, level creation, and interactive media

Environment Artists focus on creating detailed 3D models and textures for environments, while Environment Designers plan and conceptualize the layout and gameplay aspects of environments. Both roles are essential in game development but differ in their core responsibilities and skill sets.

What are environment artists?

Environment artists are professionals in the video game, film, or animation industries who are responsible for creating the visual environments where the action takes place. They design and build landscapes, buildings, and props, ensuring that these elements fit the overall style and narrative of the project. Their work involves modeling, texturing, and lighting to produce immersive and believable worlds. Environment artists collaborate closely with other artists and designers to optimize assets for performance while maintaining visual quality.

Are environmental artists in demand?

Environmental artists are in demand in the gaming, film, and virtual reality industries, where they create detailed and immersive environments. The need for skilled artists proficient in tools like Unreal Engine and Blender continues to grow as demand for realistic digital worlds increases.

How do I become an environmental artist?

To become an environmental artist, you typically need a background in art, design, or a related field, along with proficiency in 3D modeling and digital tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine. Building a strong portfolio showcasing environmental concepts and scenes is essential, and gaining experience through internships or personal projects can improve job prospects. Some roles may require knowledge of game engines, texturing, and lighting techniques.

What Does an Environment Artist Do?

An environment artist is a digital animator that creates background art, typically in the video game industry. As an environment artist, your duties center on creating the environment in which the video game characters exist. This can range from creating in-game props to designing the textures for the entire landscape of the game. However, the job usually focuses on the objects in the background as opposed to the background itself. While it’s possible to work on independent video games, larger game developers are much more likely to have the resources to hire designated environment artists. You may also find work on animated film and video projects. Qualifications for this career include extensive 3D modeling experience and excellent design and rendering software skills.

What do environment artists do?

Environment artists create detailed 3D models and visual assets for the backgrounds and settings in video games, films, or virtual environments. They use tools like Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine to design natural and built environments, focusing on realism and artistic style. Strong skills in modeling, texturing, and an understanding of lighting are essential for this role.
More about Environment Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Environment Artist jobs? Cities with the most Environment Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Environment Artist jobs? The most popular types of Environment Artist jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Environment Artist jobs? The top employers for Environment Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Environment Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Environment Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Environment Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Environment Artist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Environment Artist jobs? For Environment Artist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Environment Artist jobs near you
Environment Artist

Environment Artist

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner YOH Enterprise Solutions.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. This is a hybrid/ onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us.

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

What you will do:

  • Create models and assemble scenes across a variety of subject matter

  • Troubleshoot and maintain levels to stay in frame rate, memory, and design spec

  • Act as point of contact to achieve design and art direction goals as it pertains to building game art

  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

  • 3+ years experience modeling high quality environments for games

  • Collaborative mindset while working closely with other departments to find and propose solutions for the betterment of the game

  • Strong art sensibilities related to color, composition and scale

  • Strong artistic ability to visualize entire levels and detail with minimal concept art and direction

  • Self-motivated - can execute the vision for the level until completion in a timely and efficient manner

  • Foundational understanding of modeling as demonstrated by the ability to create high quality architecture and organic models

  • Strong polygonal modeling skills- able to generate clean and efficient models

  • Great team-player-willing to seek help and feedback from others and give it in return.  Being extremely proactive in sharing info and assets.  Open to direction and iteration.

  • Able to meet schedules, be flexible and proactive, communicating evolving project needs

  • Strong technical ability to manage assets to fit memory and performance considerations

  • Proficiency using Maya, or equivalent software

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.

 #LI-AB1

Apply