Skip to content

Design > 3D Animator

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
50050.0000 69220.0000 97520.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+7%

Supply and Demand

Candidate Supply: 94 Job Openings: 2,013

0 50 100

More Difficult Less Difficult

Salary Variance

Enter City, State to view local salaries and candidate demand.

Short Description:

A 3D Animator is an artistic professional who crafts animated visual content utilizing three-dimensional rendering techniques. Responsibilities include the creation and execution of animated sequences, characters, and environments in accordance with project specifications and artistic guidelines. The Animator collaboratea with a multidisciplinary team, adhering to project timelines, intellectual property standards, and maintaining a commitment to artistic excellence. They use industry-standard software and methodologies to produce visually compelling animations for diverse multimedia applications, including film, TV, web design and gaming.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Create illustrations, scan images, and conduct photo retouching.
  • Develop and execute computer animation projects from start to finish.
  • Execute 3D multimedia projects, including animation composites and renders for interactive productions.
  • Maintains a clean and organized production studio.
  • Manage and store 3D animation images and files.
  • Manipulate colors, shadow, texture, and light to meet production expectations.
  • Review and recommend technology upgrades to ensure compatibility with existing and future requirements.
  • Use imagination, skill, and experience to design life-like computer animations.
  • Work with the production team to understand 3D graphics requests and execute them within deadlines.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to others to understand the scope and details of projects, asking appropriate questions, and gathering the necessary information.
  • Communication: Effectively communicating information and ideas, both written and oral.
  • Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Computer Proficiency: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to create 3D assets and animation.
  • Critical Thinking: Applying logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most beneficial based on resources and deadlines.
  • Originality: Providing a wide range of innovative ideas about a given topic or situation, including discovering creative ways to communicate public relations messages and solve problems.
  • Planning and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work within deadlines.
  • Thinking Creatively: Designing, editing, and creating new ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. 
  • Related Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. 
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. 
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 2-4 years preparation (7.0 to < 8.0)

Share Role Details

Return to job listings