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Freelance 3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Valicy

3D Animator

Greenville, NC

A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game's life cycle, owning the ...

Red Games Co.

Freelance Animator

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

Create high-quality 2D/3D character, creature, environment, and UI animation for mobile platforms. * Work with Art Directors, Animation Lead, Animation Team, Game Designers, and Engineers to ensure ...

MOD Worldwide, LLC

Motion Designer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

... freelance #animator , specializing in 2D and 3D animation, for the following dates: June 22 - June 24 and July 6 - August 3. What you will do... * * Deliver polished animations (2D, 3D, Character ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

... of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The ... The 3D Animation Lead role involves managing and guiding a team of animators on a show, acting as ...

ZAGG, Inc.

Senior 3D Animator

Midvale, UT · On-site

$100K - $114K/yr

Provide creative and technical mentorship to junior animators and freelance contributors as needed. What You'll Bring * 7+ years of professional 3D animation experience, ideally in product ...

ZAGG Inc

Senior 3D Animator

Midvale, UT

$100K - $114K/yr

Provide creative and technical mentorship to junior animators and freelance contributors as needed. What You'll Bring * 7+ years of professional 3D animation experience, ideally in product ...

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Freelance 3D Character Animator information

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How much do freelance 3d character animator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance 3d character 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance 3D Character Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance 3D Character Animator, you need strong artistic skills in character design and animation principles, supported by a solid portfolio and knowledge of anatomy and movement. Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as familiarity with motion capture systems, is essential. Creativity, self-motivation, effective communication, and the ability to incorporate feedback help animators stand out in freelance environments. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality animations that meet client expectations and deadlines in a competitive market.

What does a freelance 3D character animator do?

A freelance 3D character animator creates lifelike movements and expressions for characters in films, video games, commercials, and other digital media. They work independently, collaborating with clients or studios to bring characters to life using specialized animation software such as Maya or Blender. Their tasks include interpreting storyboards, refining character motions, and ensuring animations align with the overall artistic direction of the project.

What are some common challenges freelance 3D character animators face when working with remote clients?

Freelance 3D character animators often encounter challenges in communication and feedback when working remotely with clients. Clear articulation of project requirements, artistic vision, and animation style can sometimes lead to misunderstandings without face-to-face interaction, making regular check-ins and visual progress updates essential. Additionally, managing multiple projects and deadlines independently requires strong organizational skills. Successful freelancers proactively establish milestones and utilize collaborative tools to ensure expectations are met and revisions are handled efficiently.
More about Freelance 3D Character Animator jobs
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What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Animator jobs? The most popular types of 3D Character Animator jobs are:
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Freelance 3D Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance 3D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

3D Animator

Valicy

Greenville, NC

Full-time

Re-posted 2 hours ago

Job description

Job Title: 3D Animator
Department: NC Art
Location: Greenville, NC
Reports To: Art Lead
Status: Exempt
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
WHO WE ARE:

We are Valicy.

We make games. We also make the machines they run on.
What we're building matters. How we treat people matters more.
OUR MISSION
We exist to create excellent gaming experiences, treat our customers the way we want to be treated, and positively impact people's lives through a culture of care.
Seven values guide how we work. We call it our FIGHTER mindset:
Fun: Enjoy the journey together
Innovative: Consistently pushing new boundaries through creativity
Growth: Committed to growing personally and professionally
Humble amp; Passionate: It’s important to be both
Teamwork: Built on trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results
Excellence: Pursuing high standards in everything we do
Relational: Building trust and relationships with customers and teammates


If this is the kind of place you've been looking for, let's talk.


SUMMARY: The ideal candidate has experience with animating characters and assets in a fun, stylized approach. A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game’s life cycle, owning the responsibility of animation through pre-production to the final milestone. Blending artistic expertise and technical ability, the 3D Animator will bring visually stimulating content to life that will enhance game play-ability and showcase original experiences to a wide player audience.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Understand company Mission, Vision, and Values and be an ambassador of MVV.
- Collaborate effectively with artists and programmers to create high quality, stylized 3d character animations for games produced by the team
- Rigging and weight painting the prepared 3d characters for animation
- Animate real time popups/motion graphics in 3d space to be used in Unity3D
- Assist in creating entertaining Unity3D transitions to and from game features
- Create high quality animations of characters or key art assets specifically for marketing promotions and sizzle reel videos
- Work with the art team to create dynamic and engaging particle systems in Unity’s Shuriken Particle Editor
REQUIREMENTS:
- A strong portfolio demonstrating understanding of animation principles as they apply to a variety of stylized 3D characters
- Art degree preferred or equivalent work experience
- 1-2 years prior experience in a related position
- Experience developing motion graphics elements for any type of media
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience in using the Unity3D engine (importing assets, animation editor, shuriken particle system)
- Competency in both Photoshop and After Effects
- Work experience in mobile or casino gaming industries
- Familiarity with VFX pipelines in games
- Knowledge of Unity 3D particle systems
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
This Job Description is to be used as a guide for accomplishing Company objectives. The description incorporates the most typical duties performed and covers only the primary functions and responsibilities of the position. It is recognized that other related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of those duties would not alter the overall evaluation of this position.
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