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Environment Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nintendo

CONTRACT - Environment Artist I (NST)

Redmond, WA · On-site

$31 - $47/hr

As an Environment Artist, you will have proven Substance Designer experience and a deep passion for stylized texture authoring for hard surface and organic subjects. If this sounds like you then we'd ...

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How much do environment artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 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.

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 is an environment artist?

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.

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.

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Environment Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environment Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 69% In-person, and 31% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,907 per year, or $30.2 per hour.

Environment Artist (Senior/Principal)

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
We are looking for a Senior/Principal Environment Artist with the technical grit to turn surreal concepts into high-fidelity, AAA landscapes. You aren't just an asset creator here - you are a primary architect. You will elevate the visual language of our first IP, translating our established world into immersive environments where every vista serves the story and every layout is purpose-built for competitive gameplay.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Building high-quality, in-game environment art that brings the world of Arkheron to life-architecture, materials, props, vistas, and set dressing.
  • Owning environment assets end-to-end, from concept or blockout through final in-engine implementation.
  • Creating fully realized architectural kits, ensuring they are visually cohesive, performant, and flexible for level design.
  • Partnering closely with design, lighting, engineering, and other art disciplines to ensure environments support gameplay, readability, and visual storytelling.
  • Balancing artistic fidelity with gameplay and technical needs, making smart tradeoffs that serve player experience.
  • Conducting research and gathering reference to push quality, authenticity, and cohesion across the world.
  • Contributing ideas early and often, helping shape the visual language and identity of a new IP.
  • Operating with a high degree of autonomy, pushing work forward in a small, evolving team without needing rigid structure.
  • Wearing multiple hats, using your experience to contribute beyond pure asset creation when it benefits the game.
  • Collaborate with downstream departments to proactively follow your environmental work through production and into final implementation.
  • Helping shape the game and studio culture, bringing thoughtfulness, curiosity, and craftsmanship to how we build together.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Are a strong, self-directed world builder who can take an idea from a rough sketch to a polished, in-game environment.
  • Have deep experience creating AAA-quality environment art, ideally with at least one shipped AAA title.
  • Bring a sharp eye for organic forms, architecture, materials, color, composition, and spatial storytelling.
  • Are proficient with industry-standard tools (Maya or equivalent, ZBrush, Photoshop, Substance, and real-time engines).
  • Understand the realities of game development pipelines, including optimization, lighting, PBR materials, UVs, and engine constraints.
  • Think developer- and product-first, caring about how environments affect gameplay, flow, and player experience.
  • Thrive in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams, and communicate clearly with partners across the studio.
  • Are comfortable working through ambiguity and taking initiative without waiting for perfect direction.
  • Value trust, openness, and diverse perspectives.
  • Have a growth mindset and enjoy learning, experimenting, and refining your craft.
  • Want to make a meaningful impact in a tight-knit studio where your work visibly shapes the game.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You prefer working in large, highly specialized teams with narrow ownership and rigid pipelines.
  • You need extremely detailed direction for every task and are uncomfortable navigating ambiguity.
  • You're most excited by standalone asset creation rather than holistic world building.
  • You're not interested in collaborating closely with design, lighting, and engineering.
  • You're looking for a role where responsibilities are strictly defined and don't evolve over time.
  • You're uninterested in contributing beyond your immediate discipline or shaping a new IP.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $174,800 - $221,817. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

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