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Freelance 3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

Aston Carter

Technical Animator

Seattle, WA

$45 - $46/hr

Strong understanding of character rigging, skinning, deformation, body mechanics, and animation principles. * Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or comparable 3D animation software. * Ability to rapidly ...

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Freelance 3D Character Animator information

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$31K

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

As of Jul 31, 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
What cities are hiring for Freelance 3D Character Animator jobs? Cities with the most Freelance 3D Character Animator job openings:
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.

Freelance Animator

Red Games Co.

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Temporary

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

We're seeking a talented and imaginative Contract Animator to bring our mobile games to life! You'll work closely with artists, designers, and engineers to create unique, expressive, and appealing animation that enhances gameplay and delights players in a fun new kid game!
Responsibilities
  • 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 animation supports gameplay mechanics and storytelling.
  • Develop and maintain animation systems within game engines (Unity, Unreal, or others).
  • Collaborate with character artists and technical artists to optimize assets for performance.
  • Participate in brainstorming and concept development sessions.
  • Help define and maintain animation style guides for consistency across projects.
  • Take feedback, iterate quickly, and have a strong workflow to meet production schedules.
  • Stay current on animation trends and techniques, especially for mobile games.
Requirements
  • 2+ years of professional animation experience (mobile games preferred).
  • Strong understanding of animation principles (timing, spacing, posing, weight, overlap, anticipation, etc.).
  • Proficiency in animation software such as Spine, Unity Animator, Maya, Blender, or After Effects.
  • Familiarity with Unity or Unreal Engine animation pipelines.
  • Ability to create both keyframe and procedural animation.
  • Strong eye for appealing character movement and polished transitions.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to receive feedback positively and adapt animation accordingly.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Nice to Have
  • Experience with VFX animation (particles, effects, etc.).
  • Basic knowledge of rigging and skinning characters.
  • 3D modeling or texturing experience.
  • Scripting experience (C#, Python, or visual scripting in Unity).
  • Passion for mobile games

Red Games Co. is an equal opportunity employer committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. No recruiters, please.

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