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The differences between 3d designers and 3d modelers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a 3d designer, becoming a 3d modeler takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a 3d modeler has an average salary of $75,946, which is higher than the $65,066 average annual salary of a 3d designer.
The top three skills for a 3d designer include sketch, animation and maya. The most important skills for a 3d modeler are animation, adobe photoshop, and visualization.
| 3D Designer | 3D Modeler | |
| Yearly salary | $65,066 | $75,946 |
| Hourly rate | $31.28 | $36.51 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 45,455 | 1,245 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.
3d designers and 3d modelers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| 3D Designer | 3D Modeler | |
| Average salary | $65,066 | $75,946 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $100,000 | Between $50,000 And $114,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Warby Parker | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a 3d designer and a 3d modeler in terms of educational background:
| 3D Designer | 3D Modeler | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Animation |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between 3d designers' and 3d modelers' demographics:
| 3D Designer | 3D Modeler | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |