How To Become A Character Animator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a character animator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Character animators build and develop characters using animation tools, 3D modeling, 2D animations, and even puppetry. These artistic practitioners create characters that use the action to tell a plot, whether it's for film, tv, computer games, or smartphone apps. They also draw storyboards, build templates, and do design work.

Character animators collaborate with sound engineering to ensure gestures are in sync with the sound, and they work with customers to help pitch ideas and create designs. Character animators work in film and video production studios, advertisement agencies, and public relations firms. They also work at colleges and universities and in other fields.

Employers tend to hire animators with at least a bachelor's degree in animation, computer graphics, fine arts, or a similar field from an approved institution. Character animators pursuing advancement can get a master's degree. However, those who demonstrate good coordination and time-management skills can progress to supervisory roles, where they are responsible for one part of a special effects team.

ScoreCharacter AnimatorUS Average

Salary

5.6

Avg. Salary $72,126

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.79%

Asian 7.52%

Black or African American 4.29%

Hispanic or Latino 13.95%

Unknown 5.81%

White 67.63%

Gender

female 25.60%

male 74.40%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.2

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a character animator

Explore character animator education requirements

Most common character animator degrees

Bachelor's

72.4 %

Associate

10.3 %

Master's

8.0 %

Start to develop specific character animator skills

Skills	Percentages
Animation	34.92%
Maya	14.78%
Character Animation	11.93%
Motion Capture	7.04%
AAA	6.15%

Complete relevant character animator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New character animators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a character animator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real character animator resumes.

Research character animator duties and responsibilities

Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
Direct and create concise, detail storyboards for animation sequences and short animation promotional films.
Character animation, fixing models and directing needs, interactive design and function charts for development character animation.
Animate creatures, vehicles, props, and characters for a AAA title.

Prepare your character animator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your character animator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a character animator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable character animator resume templates

Build a professional character animator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your character animator resume.

Apply for character animator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a character animator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first character animator job

Orane Regnier

Character Animator

I initially aimed to learn about 3D animation to create video games but soon realized the vast
opportunities in the field. From series and movies to ads and educational content, the industry
seemed big enough to satisfy my curiosity. Now, I especially love working on children's
entertainment projects.
I studied at ESMA Lyon, in France, where I learned all the different aspects of 3D animation and
CGI. Thanks to this education, I have a strong 3D generalist background but I specifically fell in
love with animation. Playing with character poses and rhythms turned into my hobby.
Combined with my focus on drawing, breathing life to characters quickly became my passion.
After graduating, I started my career at Hocus Pocus Studio in London, where I worked as a
freelancer on the kids' show Ready Eddie Go! I then contributed to the animation of a Virtual
Reality attraction for Europapark. Currently, I'm a freelancer at Fabrique Fantastique, working
on Sir Mouse Season 2.