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Visual Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated content using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a hands-on role ...

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated content using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a hands-on role ...

... in the visual arts • Work collaboratively with an instructional team of certificated classroom teachers • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key members/leaders within artistic ...

Showing results 21-40

Visual Artist information

See California salary details

$36K

$106.4K

$150.5K

How much do visual artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for visual artist in California is $106,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can you get as a visual artist?

A visual artist can pursue various roles such as fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, concept artist, muralist, or art director. These jobs often require skills in drawing, painting, digital tools, and a strong portfolio, and may involve working in studios, advertising agencies, or freelance settings.

What is the difference between Visual Artist vs Graphic Designer?

AspectVisual ArtistGraphic Designer
CredentialsArt degrees, portfoliosDesign degrees, software skills
Work EnvironmentStudios, galleries, public spacesOffices, agencies, client sites
Industry UsageFine arts, exhibitions, installationsAdvertising, branding, marketing

While both Visual Artists and Graphic Designers create visual content, Visual Artists focus on personal or fine art projects often showcased in galleries or public spaces. Graphic Designers typically work on commercial projects like branding and advertising, using specific software tools. The roles overlap in creativity and visual communication but differ in purpose, environment, and industry focus.

How much money does a visual artist make?

The average salary for a visual artist varies widely depending on experience, location, and specialization, but typically ranges from $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Many visual artists supplement income through commissions, gallery sales, or teaching, and success often depends on portfolio quality and networking skills.

What does a visual artist do?

A visual artist creates works of art using a variety of materials. As a visual artist, your duties may be to draw images, work with paint, develop murals, design in 3D, or create art with mixed media. While many visual artists create art solely to display in galleries and sell to collectors, you can also work in a variety of other fields. Your responsibilities vary with the position, but you can work as an advertising specialist, marketing director, CAD designer, product designer, and more. Visual artists can also work in the movie industry, develop video games, or create brand images for a company. Social media is another growing area where visual artists can create content.

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

To thrive as a Visual Artist, you need a strong foundation in drawing, color theory, composition, and art history, often supported by a degree in fine arts or a related field. Familiarity with digital design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Procreate, as well as traditional media, is typically expected. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective self-promotion are essential soft skills for standing out in a competitive field. These abilities enable artists to produce compelling work, adapt to evolving media, and build a sustainable career.

What are 5 careers in visual artist?

Five careers for a visual artist include becoming a fine artist, graphic designer, illustrator, art director, or muralist. These roles often require proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite and a strong portfolio to showcase artistic skills. Opportunities exist in galleries, advertising agencies, publishing, and public art projects.

What is a visual artist?

Visual artists are creative professionals who use various mediums—such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and digital art—to express ideas, emotions, or concepts visually. Their work can be displayed in galleries, public spaces, online platforms, or commercial settings. Visual artists may work independently or collaborate with organizations, and they often develop unique styles or techniques. The field encompasses a wide range of specializations, including fine arts, illustration, graphic design, and more.

How do visual artists typically collaborate with other creative professionals during a project?

Visual artists often work closely with graphic designers, art directors, writers, and marketing teams to bring creative concepts to life. Collaboration usually involves participating in brainstorming sessions, interpreting briefs, and providing sketches or drafts for feedback. Clear communication and openness to constructive critique are essential, as projects may go through multiple revisions. This teamwork not only enhances the final product but also helps artists expand their creative network and skill set.

What are popular job titles related to Visual Artist jobs in California?

For Visual Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Visual Artist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Visual Artist job openings:

Infographic showing various Visual Artist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 59% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,416 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Visual Development Artist- Ink

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA

$70.19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 76 rated media


Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we partner with creators as they experiment with a range of cutting-edge tools that bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling. Come join Inkubator to shape what's next and explore the creative possibilities.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated content using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a hands-on role where you will design and paint, create, and support the aesthetic vision of our creative leadership. You will help define the characters, environments, emotional tone, and aesthetic from story inception through final delivery. This role requires technical curiosity to navigate, build, and support hybrid workflows using both traditional and new tools, all while contributing to the development of feature-quality content within our creator- and artist-led environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and conceptualize characters, environments, and set layouts to discover the personality, visual atmosphere, mood, and tone.

  • Explore, imagine, and create a variety of designs that help define the world.

  • Collaborate with creative leadership to translate, establish, and maintain the visual look and style.

  • Proactively engage with and help define traditional, GenAI, and hybrid workflows to achieve creative excellence, bridging 2D and 3D ideas and integration for high-quality visual aesthetics and consistency.

  • Apply a strong understanding of design principles, particularly in stylized animation imagery.

  • Receive and incorporate feedback quickly and thoughtfully, maintaining consistency with creative direction, production guidelines, and sprint timelines. Work closely with leadership to resolve issues and address notes.

  • Drive look development and visual experimentation efforts by pioneering new approaches to blend generative imagery with traditional renders and footage.

  • Build workflows, templates, and scripts as needed.

  • Ensure artwork is delivered to the highest standard and on schedule through effective teamwork and problem-solving skills

  • Help foster a collaborative, inclusive, curious, and exploratory team environment.

Qualifications
  • 4+ years of visual development experience in animation, VFX, games, or digital media (feature, episodic, or high-end shortform); experience with stylized or nonphotoreal work is a plus OR a portfolio that demonstrates design and paint experience for animated shorts, series, or features.

  • Excellence in draftsmanship with a working knowledge of anatomy and/or volumetric drawing.

  • Samples and/or credits demonstrating excellence in visual development, composition, and lighting.

  • Ability to adapt to a wide range of visual styles.

  • Advanced working knowledge of digital drawing tools.

  • Working familiarity with 3D DCCs (e.g., Maya, Unreal, or Blender) and/or experience with node-based generative interfaces is a significant plus.

  • Demonstrated and genuine interest in Generative AI imagery and video, with a proactive, hands-on approach to exploring new GenAI tools to enhance visual storytelling capabilities.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to deliver high-quality work on schedule in a fast-moving environment.

  • Ability to take direction positively, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate clearly with creative, technical, and production partners.

  • A scrappy, builder's mindset with a high degree of independence, out-of-the-box application, and initiative as production support and workflows evolve alongside the creative process. Demonstrated experience working in ambiguous environments where the core production pipeline is being built and rapidly iterated upon.

  • Comfortable taking big-picture approaches while willing to build new workflows in a fluid, evolving production environment.

  • Ability to provide upward, constructive feedback to leadership for improved scalability.

  • Preferred, not required: Traditional art, photography, or film background.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $70.19 an hour and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.

Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.


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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997