3D Artist Job in 2022: Know The Right Way Along With Your Pay

by Hiration

What is a 3D artist?

3D art stands for three-dimensional art consisting of length, breadth, and height. Photographs, sculptures, and paintings are different forms of 3D art, and a 3D artist builds these models with the help of CGI (computer-generated imagery) and other technologies.

Basic job skills required in a 3D artist are creativity, computer knowledge, and networking ability. Since there is a massive demand for 3D artists in the current job market, finding a job will not be an issue.

What can be an issue though, is landing that dream job. We will shed light on the necessary qualifications, skills, and projects you must work on to enrich your portfolio and help you bag a 3D artist job.

Here is a set of FAQs to help you understand the requirements of a 3D artist job:

What Is the Job of a 3D Artist?


3D artists administer the entire process of visual designing - from generating ideas to final edits and effects.

A 3D artist is in charge of the look, move, colors, and elementary interaction of their model with its environment. Their duties will vary based on the kind of project they're working on, but most 3D artists have similar duties like the following:

  • Brainstorming and researching ideas
  • Drafting character designs
  • Storyboarding
  • Defining object proportions
  • Implementing physics and movement mechanics

How to Become a 3D Artist?


Surveys show that 75.2% of aspiring 3D artists possess a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. It is also possible to become a 3D artist with a high school degree or equivalent, considering you are not lacking the basics of design software required in this field.

Most of the 3D artists hold a major in Animation. Other common majors for a 3D Artist include graphic design, fine arts, and computer science.

Above every educational degree, the most significant thing will be your portfolio. Employers, even for entry level 3D artist jobs, look for a strong portfolio.

Therefore, as a fresher, you can emphasize quality over quantity. Here are a few tips on how to build your 3D artist portfolio as a fresher:

  • Showcase your versatility
  • Elaborate upon your work process
  • Give details about your projects

We are here to provide our expert AI guidance with Hiration’s Digital Portfolio where you can find 10+ ready-to-use templates and get a shareable URL for your website.

Hiration’s pro tip: Work as a 3D artist intern and explore different 3D design niches first. Gaining hands-on experience at an early stage of your career will help you find some great 3D artist job opportunities.

How do 3D Artists Get Hired?


Once you have laid the groundwork, the time will come to search for a 3D artist job online. We have compiled 5 sure-shot ways to build a strong profile and find job opportunities as a 3D artist.

Explore Freelance Websites


Freelance is an ever-growing market, with the work and requirement for suitable professionals increasing every day.

Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Flexiple, and PeoplePerHour are some of the well-known marketplaces to set up your profile and find tons of freelance 3D artist job opportunities.

Search Through LinkedIn


LinkedIn is a massive network where you can find options from freelance to full-time job openings.

LinkedIn cannot be of much help in finding entry level 3D artists jobs, but over time it can become a great tool for finding work considering you put in the necessary time and effort into building and maintaining your LinkedIn profile.

Let us help you to network better via LinkedIn with the following steps:

  • Make a routine to reach out to 4-5 people in your industry daily
  • Try and update your profile daily with the projects you’re working on or wish to work on
  • Learn about the LinkedIn algorithm which favors live streams, videos, blogs, and offsite link sharing

Also read: How to optimize your LinkedIn profile?

Material Packs for 3D Software


This is a common way for a 3D artist to gain experience and make money.

Most of the 3D software tools lack options when it comes to materials. These 3D material packages can be made by a 3D artist to help create a larger database within a software solution.

Build Your Blog


If you decide to build a professional website, apart from a portfolio page, you should also have a blog section.

Blogs are an excellent medium to share your ideas and projects and give a comprehensive account of your work process.

Merchandise Your Work


Do you have leftover 3D work lying around your workstation? Don’t let it go stale when it can potentially become a passive source of income.

Upload your work on platforms such as Sketchfab, TurboSquid, or CGTrader where you can share, discover, buy, and sell 3D content.

Also read: How to make an impeccable 3D artist resume?

How Much Money Can You Make as a 3D Artist?


Glassdoor estimated the total pay for a 3D artist job as $66,157 annually in the United States, with an average salary of $62,624 per year.

The average additional pay is $3,533 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit-sharing.

The average annual salary, as per Indeed, for a 3D artist job, is $61,617/year in the United States. This is the cumulative average of 58 reported salaries, updated on May 19, 2022.

Lastly, PayScale calculates $56,196/year as the average 3D artist salary in the United States area.

How to Get Your First Job as A 3D artist?


Network Online/Offline


Art studios very frequently ask their employees for referrals. Therefore, knowing someone who works at a company you're interested in could get you through the door.

Visit the career fairs and industry events to make contact in person, and connect with talent acquisition teams on LinkedIn.

Tailor Your Application


Two important things you need to keep in mind while drafting your application are that it should be close-knit with the role and the studio you’re applying for.

You must try to find a way to make yourself stand out by aligning your strengths with the responsibilities of the role.

Create a Showreel


You can win the show with a stellar reel by compiling your most distinctive works and keeping the overall duration under 2 minutes.

Hiration’s Pro Tip: If there’s a particular project you wish to specialize in but lack former experience, try and build your own project. Sometimes, a work-in-progress tells more than the end product, giving the viewer an idea of your potential.

Include Breakdowns


A breakdown plays a significant role in explaining your approach and process.

You can include the breakdown in the reel itself or provide an accompanying document describing what you did and how you achieved it.

Prepare for Interviews


Once your application and reel have done their job of getting you an interview scheduled, you will need to prepare for three key things:

  • Detailing your work process
  • Demonstrating your fitness for the role
  • Being inquisitive about the company and the role

As you know, chance favors the prepared mind. So to prepare, you can check Hiration’s Interview Preparation database with 20k+ interview questions and sample answers along with the feature of searching for specific questions, key strengths, focus areas, you name it!

Also read: Is a cover letter as important as a resume for an artist?

Key Takeaways


  • Skills required in a 3D artist are creativity, computer knowledge, and networking ability.
  • 3D artists predominantly pursue majors in animation, graphic design, fine arts, and computer science
  • A 3D artist at least earns $56,196/year on an average in the United States as per PayScale
  • LinkedIn is a great medium to gradually build your profile as well as search for options from part-time to full-time
  • Networking and building a strong portfolio are the two things that will help you the most as a 3D artist

For any queries or concerns, feel free to drop a mail at support@hiration.com.

Hiration provides you a personalized 360-degree career service platform with 24/7 chat support for all your professional needs - from building a shortlist-worthy resume and cover letter to optimizing your LinkedIn profile, preparing for interviews, and more!