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Small Animation Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... animations. * Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with ... small scale. * Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by ...

Frontend Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Bonus: familiarity with Next.js, React Native, or motion/animation libraries (Framer Motion, GSAP). How we work Small team, high trust, low process. You'll ship things that go live within days, not ...

... animations. * Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with ... Our Culture Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the ...

Creative thinker with strong design skills, sense of timing for videos / animations, ability to ... Agility of a small company but the stability of a big company * Industry-leading dental restorative ...

Showing results 21-28

Small Animation information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$40

$72

How much do small animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for small animation in Chicago, IL is $40.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.55 and $65.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get a job in small animation with no experience?

To get a small animation job with no experience, build a portfolio of simple projects using free or affordable animation software like Blender or Adobe Animate. Learning basic skills through online tutorials and creating a demo reel can demonstrate your potential to employers or clients, even without formal experience.

What is the difference between Small Animation vs Character Animator?

AspectSmall AnimationCharacter Animator
Required SkillsBasic animation techniques, software proficiency (e.g., Adobe Animate, After Effects)Advanced character rigging, facial expressions, lip-sync, and performance animation
Work EnvironmentFreelance, small studios, or online platformsAnimation studios, media companies, or game development firms
Industry UsageUsed for simple animations, explainer videos, or social media contentUsed for character-driven scenes, storytelling, and complex animations

Small Animation typically involves creating simple, short animations often for online content or social media, requiring basic skills. Character Animator specializes in bringing characters to life with detailed movements and expressions, often within larger production environments. While both roles involve animation skills, Character Animator requires more advanced techniques and experience in character performance.

Is small animation a low paying job?

Small animation jobs typically offer lower pay compared to larger or more experienced animation roles, especially for entry-level positions or freelance work. Compensation varies based on skill level, project complexity, and industry demand, but many small animation roles are considered to have modest pay scales.
What are popular job titles related to Small Animation jobs in Chicago, IL? For Small Animation jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Small Animation jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Small Animation jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Small Animation job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,445 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Designer - Architecture

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.
Success at SOM Means
  • Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.
  • Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
  • Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
  • Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
  • Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
  • Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Responsibilities
  • Actively leads distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
  • Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level.
  • Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
  • Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
  • Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability.
  • Integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of distinct portions of projects.
  • Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
  • Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
  • Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
  • Able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies.
  • Identifies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
  • Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from Project Leadership.
  • Guides and teaches less experienced staff.

Leadership Responsibilities
  • Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members' recognized abilities and potential.
  • In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
  • Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities.
  • Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
  • Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
  • Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and Adobe Suite.
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace.

Our Benefits:
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development
Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $70,000 to $83,000.
Our Culture
Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.
We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy
For more about SOM: www.som.com
Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.