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Freelance After Effects Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The ideal candidate should have hands-on expertise in Adobe After Effects and a strong understanding of animation, compositing, visual effects, and motion design principles. Professionals with ...

... the best animators & GFX artists to help us create custom graphics/animations for our client ... After Effects, Cinema 4D, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop โ€ข Must own a Mac or Windows based PC or ...

Conceptualize, visualize and design special effects, animation, or other visual images for our ... of After Effects, Cinema 4D, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop Must own a Mac or Windows based PC or ...

Freelance position based in TBN's Ft. Worth, TX, Studio Location Reports to: Director of Program ... Suite (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop,) to create high-quality designs and animations

Contract / Freelance Duration: [e.g., 1-3 months, with potential extension] Hours: [e.g., 20-40 ... Proficiency in tools such as After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, and/or Cinema 4D ...

2D Animator

Dallas, TX ยท On-site

Strong experience with After Effects; * Passion for art and Gaming; * Relevant and consistent portfolio; * Gambling/slots animation experience. FUNCTIONS * Deliver high quality animations assets ...

Animator

Princeton, NJ ยท On-site

$71K - $89K/yr

Strong knowledge of Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro. * Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. * Strong understanding of animation principles, composition, typography, color ...

The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior ... Proficient in After Effects and C4D. * Detail Oriented, proactive & organized. * Communicates well ...

Technically proficient in 2D animation with proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Spine and Unity. * Experience with effects, compositing, creating fluid and natural character ...

Technically proficient in 2D animation with proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Spine and Unity. * Experience with effects, compositing, creating fluid and natural character ...

Motion Designer / Animator

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Create polished motion graphics and animation primarily using Adobe After Effects * Translate complex ideas and concepts into clear, engaging visual stories * Apply brand guidelines thoughtfully and ...

New

The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior ... Proficient in After Effects and C4D. * Detail Oriented, proactive & organized. * Communicates well ...

The ideal candidate combines a strong graphic design foundation with high-level After Effects animation and video editing expertise. You will report directly to our Creative Director. Key ...

Animator

Reno, NV ยท On-site +1

Expertise in 2D/3D tools (After Effects, Spine, Maya, Blender, etc.) * Experience creating animations in Unity or other real-time engines * Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player ...

Animator

Reno, NV ยท On-site +1

Expertise in 2D/3D tools (After Effects, Spine, Maya, Blender, etc.) * Experience creating animations in Unity or other real-time engines * Deep understanding of motion, composition, and player ...

The ideal candidate combines a strong graphic design foundation with high-level After Effects animation and video editing expertise. You will report directly to our Creative Director. Key ...

The ideal candidate combines a strong graphic design foundation with high-level After Effects animation and video editing expertise. You will report directly to our Creative Director. Key ...

The ideal candidate combines a strong graphic design foundation with high-level After Effects animation and video editing expertise. You will report directly to our Creative Director. Key ...

Animator IV

Reno, NV ยท On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Expert-level proficiency in 2D and 3D animation tools such as After Effects, Spine, Maya, and Blender. * Experience creating and implementing real-time animations in Unity. * Strong understanding of ...

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Freelance After Effects Animator information

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How much do freelance after effects animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance after effects animator in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance After Effects Animator vs Motion Graphics Designer?

AspectFreelance After Effects AnimatorMotion Graphics Designer
CredentialsTypically self-taught or portfolio-based; formal certifications are optionalOften holds a degree or certification in graphic design, animation, or related fields
Work EnvironmentFreelance, remote or on-site projects for various clientsIn-house or freelance, working on branding, advertising, or broadcast projects
Industry UsageUsed across film, advertising, online content, and multimediaPrimarily in advertising, branding, and media production

While both roles involve creating visual content, a Freelance After Effects Animator specializes in motion graphics and animation using After Effects, often working independently on diverse projects. A Motion Graphics Designer may have a broader focus on designing static and animated graphics, often within a team or agency setting. The key difference lies in the scope and typical work environment, though both roles require strong skills in animation and design.

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Infographic showing various Freelance After Effects Animator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

2D Effects Artist (Temporary/Freelance)

Manhattan, NY โ€ข On-site

$140K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking a temporary freelance 2D Effects Animator to explore magical effects for an upcoming feature film. The effects created will help shape the film's visual tone and push its artistic language forward. While the focus will be primarily on magic, there will be additional work in water, fire, smoke, debris, and other elemental effects, all developed to align with the film's artistic aesthetic. You'll work closely with the Visual Development team and report to the Production Designer.

Demo reel or portfolio required, demonstrating a range of 2D effects work. Reels highlighting effects timing, physics, and integration with character performance are strongly preferred over technique reels alone.

Must be in one of the following locations: California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, United Kingdom, or Spain.

Responsibilities
  • Design 2D effects, both hand-drawn and digitally composited, that elevate character performance and enhance the emotional weight and cinematic quality of every scene
  • Collaborate with the Production Designer, show leadership, and Visual Development artists to iterate on and develop magical effects
  • Brainstorm, define, and help establish the visual language for varying styles of magic across the film
  • Maintain consistency and nuance in effects style and timing across sequences, factoring in weight, physics, and elemental performance within a narrative context
  • Apply core animation principles to ensure fluid, believable motion and clear, readable silhouettes
  • Troubleshoot and problem-solve technical and creative effects challenges within pipeline constraints
Requirements
  • 1+ year of experience in 2D animation or visual development, with a focus on effects
  • Traditional 2D animation background
  • Proficiency in relevant animation/effects software (e.g., Photoshop, Nuke, After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, TVPaint, or similar)
  • Strong grasp of timing, weight, and physics as applied to effects animation
  • Ability to take direction and iterate quickly
  • Creative mindset with the ability to conceptualize ideas and bring them to life

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA or the Tri-State Area (New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey) is $115,00-140,000 annually. The rate offered may vary based on the candidateโ€™s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.

This compensation range is not applicable to the United Kingdom and Spain.

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