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Full Time Traditional Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY ยท On-site

$116K - $132K/yr

Qualifications โ€ข 6+ years professional design & animation experience for entertainment brands โ€ข ... Full time โ€ข Start date: ASAP, 2016 โ€ข Salary with full benefits Please email cover letter ...

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY

$116K - $132K/yr

Qualifications 6+ years professional design & animation experience for entertainment brands Mastery ... Full time Start date: ASAP, 2016 Salary with full benefits Please email cover letter, resume, and ...

AI Artist (freelance to hire)

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$500 - $800/day

We combine traditional production expertise with cutting-edge AI image and video technologies to ... The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ...

We combine traditional production expertise with cutting-edge AI image and video technologies to ... The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ...

AI Artist (freelance to hire)

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$500 - $800/day

We combine traditional production expertise with cutting-edge AI image and video technologies to ... The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ...

Proceeds from traditional Lottery games support K-12 public education in Virginia. Taxes generated ... Working from creative briefs, the designer executes design, animation and video production projects ...

Motion Graphic Designer

Post Falls, ID ยท On-site +1

$75K/yr

You will be a traditional company employee. This is a remote position, but if you're near one of ... Our ideal candidate would be someone who has been successful in a full-time in-house position. You ...

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Full Time Traditional Animation information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do full time traditional animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time traditional animation 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 full time traditional animation?

A Full Time Traditional Animation job involves creating animated content using hand-drawn techniques, usually frame by frame, for films, television, commercials, or games. Traditional animators sketch each frame, which are then sequenced to produce the illusion of movement. Working full time means being employed for standard business hours, often as part of a studio or production team. This role requires strong drawing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate closely with directors and other artists. Traditional animators may also use digital tools to refine or color their drawings, but the core animation is done by hand.

What are some common challenges faced by full-time traditional animators and how can they be managed?

Full-time traditional animators often encounter tight deadlines and the need for meticulous attention to detail, as each frame is drawn by hand. Balancing creativity with consistency across sequences can also be demanding. Collaborating effectively with directors and other artists is crucial, as feedback and revisions are frequent. To manage these challenges, animators benefit from strong time management skills, open communication, and maintaining a disciplined workflow to ensure high-quality output under pressure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time traditional animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Traditional Animator, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of animation principles, and typically a degree or training in animation or a related field. Familiarity with animation software such as Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe Animate, as well as experience with hand-drawn and digital workflows, is usually required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout animators apart, enabling collaboration with directors and other artists. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality, expressive animations that meet project goals and deadlines.

What is the difference between Full Time Traditional Animation vs 3D Animation Artist?

AspectFull Time Traditional Animation3D Animation Artist
CredentialsAnimation degree or related certificationAnimation or 3D modeling degree or certification
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, post-production housesVFX studios, gaming, film production
Industry UsageTV, film, advertising with hand-drawn techniquesVideo games, movies, virtual reality
Common Search IntentComparison of traditional vs digital animation rolesTransitioning from traditional to digital animation

Full Time Traditional Animation involves creating hand-drawn or digitally simulated 2D animations, often emphasizing artistic skills and frame-by-frame work. In contrast, 3D Animation Artists focus on creating three-dimensional models and animations using specialized software. Both roles require similar foundational skills but differ in tools, techniques, and industry applications.

More about Full Time Traditional Animation jobs

What cities are hiring for Full Time Traditional Animation jobs?

Cities with the most Full Time Traditional Animation job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Traditional Animation jobs?

The most popular types of Traditional Animation jobs are:

What states have the most Full Time Traditional Animation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Full Time Traditional Animation jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Full Time Traditional Animation jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Full Time Traditional Animation jobs are:

Infographic showing various Full Time Traditional Animation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, and 44% Part Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Lead Animator

Novato, CA โ€ข On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

As a Lead Gameplay Animator at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the character performance and movement systems of our project. In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft high-end player characters and AI animations that support responsive, immersive gameplay-bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Manage, support, and mentor a team of animators in developing high-end gameplay and AI animations, conducting regular 1:1s, annual evaluations, and setting clear, actionable goals.
  • Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture.
  • Develop and refine animation pipelines, workflows, and tools, setting up onboarding, Unreal Engine 5 training, and motion capture planning.
  • Deliver exceptional hand-key animations and edit motion capture data for first-person and third-person characters, taking on animation tasks as time permits.
  • Collaborate with Production on milestone roadmaps, sprint planning, and task delegation while addressing blocking issues and participating in hiring efforts.
  • Take an active role in the animation leadership circle by sharing your voice and best practices to help guide the team's culture, as well as updating the group on new or outstanding issues

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped multiple AAA titles as a Lead, Team Lead, or Senior Animator ideally utilizing Unreal Engine.
  • Deep knowledge of gameplay and AI animation systems, animation graph/data integration, motion capture pipelines, and rigging/prototyping processes.
  • Strong practical skill in hand-key facial animation (such as FaceFX) alongside high proficiency in animating human bipeds, organic forms, quadrupeds, and mechanical objects.
  • Exceptional understanding of traditional animation principles, human anatomy, caricature, form, gesture, and silhouette as applied to real-time interactive gameplay.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
#LI-Remote
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 - $182,360 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts