Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between 3d artists and 3d designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a 3d artist, becoming a 3d designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a 3d artist has an average salary of $74,721, which is higher than the $65,066 average annual salary of a 3d designer.
The top three skills for a 3d artist include animation, unity and zbrush. The most important skills for a 3d designer are sketch, animation, and maya.
| 3D Artist | 3D Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,721 | $65,066 |
| Hourly rate | $35.92 | $31.28 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 3,978 | 45,455 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.
The primary job of a 3D designer is to design and create three-dimensional models based on a client's specifications and requirements. Your duties will include developing a 3D design for new products, reviewing and enhancing the 3D design of existing products, and understanding project requirements. Using computer-aided design (CAD) tools, you will develop a design layout for complex projects as well as primary models and sketches for final product design. As a 3D designer, you are also responsible for participating in brainstorming sessions and team meetings.
3d artists and 3d designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| 3D Artist | 3D Designer | |
| Average salary | $74,721 | $65,066 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $116,000 | Between $42,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Warby Parker |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Retail |
There are a few differences between a 3d artist and a 3d designer in terms of educational background:
| 3D Artist | 3D Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Animation | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between 3d artists' and 3d designers' demographics:
| 3D Artist | 3D Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 13% |