3D modelers are artists. They work in film and video production studios, game design organizations, graphic and advertising firms, web design firms, software companies, architecture firms, college and universities, product design firms, or manufacturing firms. They may even work in aerospace or for auto companies, retail firms, crime labs, or interior design firms. Essentially, there is no limit to where they can work.
3D modelers must have high computer and math skills. They may also need to be familiar with film or gaming, have creative and design skills, and a strong background in the field where they choose to work. A 3D modeler works as part of a larger design team. They are considered a multimedia artist and animator. Their salary ranges from $79,000 to $124,000.
3D Modeler Overview
3D Modeler Careers
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a 3d modeler. For example, did you know that they make an average of $30.89 an hour? That's $64,250 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 3,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does a 3D Modeler Do
There are certain skills that many 3d modelers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed computer skills, time-management skills and creativity.
When it comes to the most important skills required to be a 3d modeler, we found that a lot of resumes listed 8.4% of 3d modelers included photoshop, while 8.0% of resumes included game engine, and 6.6% of resumes included texture. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
When it comes to searching for a job, many search for a key term or phrase. Instead, it might be more helpful to search by industry, as you might be missing jobs that you never thought about in industries that you didn't even think offered positions related to the 3d modeler job title. But what industry to start with? Most 3d modelers actually find jobs in the technology and manufacturing industries.
How To Become a 3D Modeler
If you're interested in becoming a 3d modeler, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 63.1% of 3d modelers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 11.7% of 3d modelers have master's degrees. Even though most 3d modelers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a 3d modeler. When we researched the most common majors for a 3d modeler, we found that they most commonly earn bachelor's degree degrees or associate degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on 3d modeler resumes include master's degree degrees or high school diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a 3d modeler. In fact, many 3d modeler jobs require experience in a role such as 3d artist. Meanwhile, many 3d modelers also have previous career experience in roles such as internship or graphic designer.
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3D Modeler Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a 3d modeler can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as 3d artist, progress to a title such as lead artist and then eventually end up with the title design director.
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Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the rights job to get there.
Average Salary for a 3D Modeler
Best Paying Cities
Recently Added Salaries
Job TitleCompany  | Company | Start Date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
Robert Half 3D Production Modeler CV Keenan.Koff@Creativegroup.com 3D Production Modeler CV Keenan.Koff@Creativegroup.com | Robert Half Robert Half | 01/12/2021 01/12/2021 | $69,39301/12/2021 $69,393 |
Robert Half 3D Modeler 3D Modeler | Robert Half Robert Half | 01/05/2021 01/05/2021 | $62,79801/05/2021 $62,798 |
Robert Half 3D Modeler 3D Modeler | Robert Half Robert Half | 11/12/2020 11/12/2020 | $50,08811/12/2020 $50,088 |
Robert Half 3D Modeler 3D Modeler | Robert Half Robert Half | 11/04/2020 11/04/2020 | $59,48011/04/2020 $59,480 |
Robert Half 3D Modeler 3D Modeler | Robert Half Robert Half | 06/19/2020 06/19/2020 | $41,74006/19/2020 $41,740 |
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Top Colleges for 3D Modelers
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Public
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Top Skills For a 3D Modeler
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 8.4% of 3d modelers listed photoshop on their resume, but soft skills such as computer skills and time-management skills are important as well.
- Photoshop, 8.4%
- Game Engine, 8.0%
- Texture, 6.6%
- UV, 6.1%
- Unity, 5.8%
- Other Skills, 65.1% See All 3D Modeler Skills
Best States For a 3D Modeler
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a 3d modeler. The best states for people in this position are Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Washington. 3d modelers make the most in Rhode Island with an average salary of $90,534. Whereas in Connecticut and New Hampshire, they would average $89,744 and $89,198, respectively. While 3d modelers would only make an average of $88,101 in Washington, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. New Hampshire
$89,198
Avg. Salary
2. Rhode Island
$90,534
Avg. Salary
3. Washington
$88,101
Avg. Salary