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Senior 2D Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ... Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and ...

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Senior Artist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ... Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and ...

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX

$125K - $150K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Technical Artist acts as aresource within the art team, mentoring other ... Create 2D assets for all aspects of the product including UI, composition, VFX, and animations

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Technical Artist acts as a resource within the art team, mentoring ... Create 2D assets for all aspects of the product including UI, composition, VFX, and animations

VFX Artist III

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$69.26 - $85.41/hr

As a Senior Real-Time VFX Artist, you will work closely with animators, artists, and designers to ... Flex your mastery of 2D and 3D workflows to enhance your in-engine work. * Be comfortable thinking ...

Senior Motion Designer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB As a Senior Motion Designer, you will help shape and develop the kinetic visual ... both 2D and 3D elements. The ideal candidate is not only an impeccable artist, but also has ...

Senior Creative Designer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$93K - $100K/yr

Create 2D sketches, renderings, and 3D digital formats in multimedia software * Interpret and ... Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science in Transportation or Product Design * Minimum of 4 ...

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Senior 2D Artist information

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$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do senior 2d artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior 2d artist in the United States is $129,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior 2D Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior 2D Artist, you need advanced skills in drawing, painting, composition, and color theory, typically supported by a strong portfolio and relevant art or design qualifications. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and digital tablets is essential, and experience with asset management systems is often required. Creativity, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams are standout soft skills. These abilities ensure high-quality visual assets, efficient workflow, and successful alignment with project goals in dynamic creative environments.

What are Senior 2D Artists?

Senior 2D Artists are experienced professionals who create high-quality visual content, such as illustrations, concept art, character designs, and environments for video games, animation, films, and other media. They often lead or mentor junior artists, help define the visual style of a project, and ensure the artwork meets both technical and artistic standards. Senior 2D Artists collaborate closely with art directors, game designers, and other team members to bring creative visions to life.

What are some common challenges Senior 2D Artists face when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on large projects?

Senior 2D Artists often work closely with game designers, animators, and developers, making effective communication essential to ensure artistic vision aligns with technical requirements. A common challenge is balancing creative ideas with project constraints like deadlines and platform limitations. Additionally, adapting to feedback from various stakeholders while maintaining consistency in the visual style can be demanding. Senior 2D Artists are expected to mentor junior team members and help establish best practices, which requires strong leadership and adaptability.

How much do 2D artists make?

Senior 2D artists typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions generally start lower, while specialized skills in digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator can increase earning potential.

Are 2D artists in demand?

Senior 2D artists are in demand in industries such as gaming, animation, and advertising, where strong skills in digital illustration and proficiency with tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are valued. The demand for 2D artists depends on industry trends, project needs, and the ability to adapt to new technologies and styles.

Will AI replace illustrators?

AI technology can assist senior 2D artists by automating repetitive tasks and generating initial concepts, but it is unlikely to fully replace skilled illustrators. Human creativity, artistic judgment, and understanding of client needs remain essential in producing high-quality, original artwork. Many artists use AI as a tool to enhance their workflow rather than as a replacement.

What is the difference between Senior 2D Artist vs 2D Animator?

AspectSenior 2D Artist2D Animator
Primary FocusCreating detailed 2D artwork, illustrations, and visual assets for projectsProducing animated sequences, character movements, and visual effects
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and design principlesSkills in After Effects, Toon Boom, and animation techniques
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, game companies, advertising agenciesAnimation studios, game development, multimedia production
Industry UsageUsed in game art, concept art, and visual designUsed in animation, film, and game cutscenes

While both roles require strong artistic skills and familiarity with digital tools, a Senior 2D Artist primarily focuses on creating static visual assets, whereas a 2D Animator specializes in bringing characters and scenes to life through movement and animation techniques.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

Senior 2D Artists in media, especially those with extensive experience, advanced skills in industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and a strong portfolio, can reach or exceed $150,000 annually, particularly in senior or lead roles within large companies or specialized agencies. High earning potential is often associated with roles that involve complex project management, high-profile clients, or working in competitive markets.
More about Senior 2D Artist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Artist jobs? The most popular types of 2D Artist jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Senior 2D Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior 2D Artist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior 2D Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

2D Game Artist (Mid to Senior)

Age of Learning, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA

$110K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Company Overview:

Age of Learning® is the leading developer of engaging and effective Pre-K through 2nd grade learning resources that help children build a strong foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of learning. The company's research-based curriculum, developed by education experts, includes the award-winning programs ABCmouse®, Adventure Academy®, as well as the adaptive, personalized school solutions, My Math Academy®, My Reading Academy®, and My Reading Academy Español®. Having served over 55 million children worldwide, Age of Learning is a global leader in efforts to advance equity, access, and opportunity for all children. To learn more about Age of Learning, visit AgeofLearning.com.

Summary:

We're looking for a versatile 2D Game Artist to create and own art across ABCmouse — one of the world's most beloved early learning apps. Our house style is bright, expressive, and unmistakably kid-friendly, and you'll be central to maintaining and extending it. 2D is the core of this role; a working understanding of 3D is a plus. You're a self-starter who takes real ownership of your work, drives it to completion, and raises your hand when something needs to happen — without waiting to be asked.

Responsibilities:
  • Create stylized, family-friendly 2D art: characters, props, environments, UI, coloring pages, thumbnails, banners, and in-game reward art within the ABCmouse house style
  • Casual games experience a plus
  • Build and iterate on interactive 2D animations in Rive for our Flutter-based game pipeline
  • Own assigned areas of the product from brief to ship — managing your workload, hitting deadlines, and holding a high bar for quality
  • Use a mix of Art (Adobe) and AI-assisted tools to generate illustrated content datasets at scale
  • Export and optimize assets for cross-platform mobile delivery (iOS, Android, Fire OS, web)
  • Apply a working knowledge of 3D to support or lightly contribute to 3D content as needed
  • Proactively identify pipeline gaps and propose improvements
  • Collaborate with curriculum, product, and engineering; participate in creative reviews and incorporate feedback quickly
Minimum Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of professional 2D game art, illustration, or UI art in a production environment
  • Portfolio demonstrating a cute, stylized, family-friendly art style consistent with ABCmouse
  • Proven ability to own work end to end without constant direction — self-directed, accountable, and reliable
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for mobile-optimized asset production
  • Experience with an interactive animation tool (Rive, Spine, or equivalent)
  • Working familiarity with 3D — enough to review assets or contribute lightly within an existing pipeline
  • Clear communicator who surfaces blockers early and keeps collaborators informed
  • Eager to learn new tools and pipelines, including AI-assisted workflows
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Portfolio examples in children's media, ed-tech, or stylized game art
  • Direct Rive experience, including interactive state machines
  • Hands-on 3D experience (Blender, Maya, or similar) in a stylized or toon-shaded aesthetic
  • Experience using AI image generation tools (Scenario, Midjourney, Firefly) in production
  • Familiarity with Flutter app art requirements and PNG/SVG optimization
  • Experience in ed-tech, children's entertainment, or mission-driven creative work
  • Figma proficiency for design handoff
  • Experience with Frame.io or similar review and asset-management platforms

The estimated salary range for a new hire in this position is below. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors, including knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

Total Compensation:
$110,000—$135,000 USD
Age of Learning currently provides:
  • 91% of employee health and welfare benefits premiums & 70% of dependent benefits premiums
  • A 401(k) program with employer match
  • 15 paid vacation days (increases to 20 days on your 3rd anniversary), 12 observed national paid holidays, 9 sick days, and 16 paid volunteer hours per year
  • 7 paid days for company-wide year end closure (includes 3 observed paid holidays)
  • Our flexible work culture means 2 or more days in the office (hybrid) or 100% fully remote options available for most positions
Security Advisory

At Age of Learning, we prioritize a safe recruitment process. Communication will come solely from official Age of Learning email addresses, @aofl.com, or our verified LinkedIn Recruiter accounts — be cautious of deviations. We will never request sensitive personal information during the early application stages. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or Zoom — never through messaging apps. Job offers are communicated verbally and followed by written documentation via DocuSign. Any requests for personal information will occur through secure channels only.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Age of Learning, Inc. (the "Company") is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partner status, genetic information, or any other legally-recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Age of Learning, Inc. (the "Company") will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories pursuant to EEOC requirements and state applicable laws, e.g. New York City Fair Chance Act.

Employee/Applicant Privacy Notice

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.