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Video Game Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$170K - $200K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or related field. * 7+ years of experience in character art within the video game industry. * Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or related field. * 7+ years of experience in character art within the video game industry. * Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

About Side Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and ... As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ...

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior) thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to ... Passion for creating memorable characters for games * Understanding of Industry Standard Software ...

Absurd Ventures

Character Technical Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Core Qualifications * 5+ years of experience as a Character Technical Artist, Technical Artist, or similar role in the video game industry. Experience supporting character pipelines on at least one ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Character Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

... Prime Video's visceral thriller The Bluff and the global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 ... Qualifications & Skills: * 5+ years of proven experience as a Character Artist in the gaming, film ...

Kavaliro

Character Artist (Unreal Engine)

Jacksonville, FL

$112K - $117K/yr

Kavaliro is seeking a talented Mid-Level Character Artist for our game studio client with a strong focus on clothing creation and character customization to join their development team working in ...

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Video Game Character Artist information

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How much do video game character artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for video game character artist in the United States is $15.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Video Game Character Artist do?

A Video Game Character Artist is responsible for designing and creating the visual appearance of characters in video games. They use artistic skills and 3D modeling software to bring characters to life, ensuring they fit the game's style and technical requirements. Their work involves concept art, sculpting, texturing, and sometimes rigging characters for animation. Collaboration with other team members, like animators and game designers, is common to ensure characters move and behave realistically within the game. This role requires both creativity and technical proficiency.

What is the difference between Video Game Character Artist vs 3D Modeler?

AspectVideo Game Character Artist3D Modeler
Required SkillsConcept art, character design, anatomy, texturingModeling, texturing, UV mapping, software proficiency
Work EnvironmentGame studios, freelance, collaborative teamsGame studios, animation, film, freelance
Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming, entertainmentGaming, film, animation industries

While both roles involve 3D skills, a Video Game Character Artist focuses on designing and conceptualizing characters, emphasizing artistic style and anatomy. A 3D Modeler specializes in creating detailed 3D models based on designs, often working from concept art. Both roles require proficiency in similar software and often overlap, but their primary focus differs: artistic creation versus technical modeling.

What are some common challenges faced by video game character artists when collaborating with other departments?

Video game character artists often work closely with animators, technical artists, and game designers, which can present challenges in maintaining both artistic vision and technical constraints. Aligning the character's look and feel with gameplay requirements or animation limitations may require frequent adjustments and effective communication. Additionally, ensuring that character models are optimized for performance without sacrificing quality is a recurring challenge, especially when adapting to changing project needs or feedback from other teams.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Character Artist, you need strong artistic ability in anatomy, form, and color theory, supported by a portfolio and often a relevant degree in art or design. Expertise with industry-standard 3D modeling and sculpting software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and meeting creative briefs. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling, believable characters that enhance the player's immersive experience and contribute to a game's success.
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Video Game Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Character Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 46% Full Time, 48% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,769 per year, or $15.3 per hour.

Lead Character Artist

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA

$170K - $200K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Summary 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Character Artist to join our dynamic team. As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of high-quality character assets. You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence. 

Core Responsibilities 

  • Lead the character art team in the creation of high-quality character models. 
  • Collaborate with the Art Director to define the visual style of characters. 
  • Sculpt, model, and texture characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project. 
  • Contribute in planning, organization and prioritization of tasks with Production for internal, OS, and co dev partners. 
  • Create and maintain character pipeline documentation for training and onboarding 
  • Proactively identify risks in character art production timelines and effectively communicate risks to Production and Directors. 
  • Mentor and provide feedback to other character artists. 
  • Ensure character assets are optimized for performance and memory usage. 
  • Work closely with rigging, animation, and technical art teams to ensure characters are ready for implementation. 
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in character art. 

Core Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or related field. 
  • 7+ years of experience in character art within the video game industry. 
  • Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter. 
  • Significant experience in Unreal Engine 
  • Excellent understanding of anatomy, form, and silhouette. 
  • Experience with PBR and hand-painted texturing workflows. 
  • Proven track record of creating high-quality character models for AAA titles. 
  • Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively across departments. 

Plus if... 

  • Experience with character rigging and skinning. 
  • Knowledge of Marvelous Designer or similar tools for clothing simulation. 
  • Experience with rigid body dynamics and cloth simulation in Unreal Engine 
  • Previous work in a leadership role on a major game title. 

Description 

  • Full-time job with benefits. 
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. 
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeway. 

The base pay range for this position is $170,000 to $200,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. 

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