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Game Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$115K - $131K/yr

Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel and Beyond the Game Blog where we share ... CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our ...

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Overview Step into a lead role within IGT's Vibe Game Studio in Reno, Nevada, as an Animator IV , where your creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision will help shape both our next ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints. * Set up animation ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints. * Set up animation ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints. * Set up animation ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay. * Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints. * Set up animation ...

PUBG Madison

Senior Animator

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$106K - $121K/yr

After the release of our flagship title in 2017 we have become one of the highest selling games of ... Defines animation direction and execution even in ambiguous situations. * Organizes direction and ...

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All JobsGame Animator Jobs

Game Animator information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do game animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for game 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.

Are game animators in demand?

Game animators are in demand due to the growing gaming industry and the need for high-quality visual content. Skills in animation software like Maya or Blender and understanding of game engines such as Unity or Unreal are valuable for employment opportunities in this field.

What is the difference between Game Animator vs Character Animator?

AspectGame AnimatorCharacter Animator
Required CredentialsAnimation degree or related certification, portfolioAnimation degree, portfolio, sometimes specialized in character animation
Work EnvironmentVideo game studios, interactive mediaFilm, TV, video game studios, often focused on character movement
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming industry, working on game assetsIn entertainment industry, focusing on character performance
Common Search & ComparisonGame Animator vs Character Animator

While both roles involve animation skills, a Game Animator specializes in creating animations for video games, including character, environment, and object movements. A Character Animator focuses specifically on bringing characters to life, often in film or TV, but also in games. The main difference lies in the scope and context of their work, with Game Animators working within interactive environments and Character Animators emphasizing performance and storytelling through character movement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Animator, you need a strong background in animation principles, 3D modeling, and an understanding of character movement, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is crucial, and knowledge of scripting languages can be beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to take feedback are important soft skills that help animators bring characters and environments to life. These skills ensure that animations are visually engaging, technically flawless, and seamlessly integrated into the gameplay experience.

How do you become a game animator?

To become a game animator, you typically need a bachelor's degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field, along with strong skills in animation software such as Maya or Blender. Building a portfolio of animated work and gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions are important steps in entering the industry.

What are game animators?

Game animators are professionals who create the movement and behavior of characters, objects, and environments in video games. They use specialized software to design animations that bring digital worlds to life, ensuring that character actions and environmental effects look natural and engaging. Game animators work closely with game designers, artists, and programmers to integrate their animations seamlessly into gameplay. Their work helps enhance storytelling, visual appeal, and the overall player experience.

How much does a game animator make?

The average salary for a game animator ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level animators typically earn less, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or working in high-cost areas can earn higher salaries. Proficiency in animation software like Maya or Blender and a strong portfolio can influence earning potential.

How do Game Animators typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Game Animators work closely with game designers, character artists, and programmers to ensure that animations integrate smoothly into the game engine and support gameplay objectives. They frequently participate in cross-functional meetings to review animation progress, receive feedback, and adjust their work to meet creative and technical requirements. Effective communication is essential, as animators must balance artistic vision with technical constraints and gameplay needs, often iterating on their animations based on feedback from multiple teams.

What is the salary of a game animator?

The average salary of a game animator in the United States ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level positions typically start around $40,000, while experienced professionals with specialized skills in tools like Maya or Blender can earn over $100,000 annually.
More about Game Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for Game Animator jobs? Cities with the most Game Animator job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Game Animator jobs? The top employers for Game Animator jobs are:
What states have the most Game Animator jobs? States with the most job openings for Game Animator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Game Animator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Game Animator jobs are:
Game Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Animator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 37% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 7% Temporary, 21% Contract, and 7% Summer. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$126K - $227K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

This is a hybrid / onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Part I and Part II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us!

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

Please note: This is not a rigging position. We are looking for an animator that is capable of being the bridge between art and technical teams by designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex runtime animation systems and character behaviors.

What you will do:

Facilitate the creation and implementation of tools and techniques that allow the building of complex and high-quality animation systems

Innovate and streamline animation pipeline processes and workflows

Collaborate with the Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges

Create high quality animation content supporting the newly developed behaviors and systems and implement it in engine

Work with the animation leadership on defining and maintaining the style and quality bar of the in-game animation

Take ownership of challenging projects and provide innovative solutions, including mentoring team members and creating documentation

Contribute to the strategic development of internal technologies and artistic processes

What skills you will use:

5+ years of industry experience in technical animation for games

Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required

Full understanding of in-game animation tools like state machines, blend trees, IK solvers, etc.

Expertise with mocap and keyframe based digital content creation pipelines built on Maya or Motionbuilder

Proven track record of creating visually stunning animations for diverse game genres

Proactively contributes to the progress of the team and the project

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an animation test.

#LI-SP3

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhere to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$126,400-$227,500 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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