How to hire a video game animator

How to hire a video game animator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step video game animator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a video game animator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new video game animator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The video game animator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect video game animator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents video game animator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Video Game Animator	Description	Hourly rate
   Video Game Animator	Multimedia artists and animators create animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.	$23-64
   Storyboard Artist	A storyboard artist specializes in creating and designing storyboards to visualize scripts for film, TV, advertising, and animation production. They utilize their talents in sketching and storytelling to help the production process run smoothly and accurately... Show more	$26-69
   3D Modeler	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... Show more	$24-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Animation
   • Motion Capture
   • Maya
   • Unity
   • Character Animation
   • Photoshop
   • Animation Style
   • Game Design
   • Art Assets

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
   • Provide technical support in Autodesk Maya.
   • Work with engineers to develop process, using Maya.
   • Lay out and optimize UV's for realtime rendering.
   • Direct, texture, animate, and provide VFX for a visually provocative commercial.
   • Create UV maps and unique and/or tiling textures in various styles for game assets.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your video game animator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A video game animator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, video game animators' average salary in hawaii is 67% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level video game animators earn 64% less than senior-level video game animators.
   • Certifications. A video game animator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a video game animator's salary.

   Average video game animator salary

   $81,133yearly

   $39.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level video game animator salary

   $48,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a video game animator job description

   A good video game animator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a video game animator job description:

   Video game animator job description example

   The Hunt: Showdown team is looking for a creatively minded and driven Gameplay Animator who can communicate well between programmers and artists to develop cutting edge, next generation animation solutions for Games.
   *Sample pictures or a link to a webpage, which shows sample work, are required.*
   
   Relocation & Remote Work
   Although we believe living close to our studio helps foster team spirit and stronger bonds between team members, we understand that people have different needs and expectations for their place of residence. You have a choice of three location options, allowing you to work with Crytek from anywhere you wish:
   
   1. Come to our modern headquarters in Frankfurt and receive an attractive relocation package and have access to all of our benefits.
   
   2. If you are already living in a European Union member state, we are able to offer you a permanent work contract and allow you to work remotely as an employee from there.
   
   3. If you are interested in full-time remote work in any other country outside of the European Union, we can offer you a freelance contract arrangement.
   ResponsibilitiesCollaborates with Lead Animator and Senior Animators in implementation of animations within game engine.Create keyframe animation as well as working with motion capture data for in-game assets while following the given style guide.Ensure timely completion of animation commitments at the desired quality bar.Partners with designers, programmers and other departments involved.
   Requirements2+ years of professional experience in game development in an Animator capacity;Experience in 1st person shooter games is a must;Positive, solution-orientated individual with a passion for game development;A thorough understanding of animation pipelines and the processes involved from the conceptual phase to implementation;Proficient with Maya;Ability to create fluid smooth, realistic animations with specific demonstration of animation fundamentals;Passion for Games;Keep a positive team-oriented attitude;Be proactive and self-motivated, work without direct supervision;Good written and spoken English skills.
   PlusesMotion Capture experience (Motionbuilder);Working knowledge of CryEngine or similar products;Cinematography knowledge;Rigging skill is a plus;Creature animation is a plus;Interest in the Horror genre.
   What you can expect from us
   
   Home Office
   Work-life balance is not just a hollow term for us. At Crytek, we offer you the option to either work from home or in our studio.
   
   Career Path
   Your professional development is important to us, so we have laid out a career plan to help you progress towards your goals and objectives.
   
   Company Apartment
   To help you get settled, we provide you with a fully furnished company apartment during your first three months in Frankfurt.*
   
   Relocation Support
   We offer a relocation budget and full coverage of flights to Frankfurt for you and your family.
   You can expect extensive assistance with visa, work permits, and communication with authorities during the relocation process, as well as help settling into Germany (e.g. setting up appointments with banks, government agencies, schools, landlords, finding apartments etc.).*
   
   Public Transport Pass
   Discover Frankfurt by bus, tram and metro - free of charge.*
   
   Gym Card
   A healthy body is a healthy mind. We offer a membership at the premium gym chain Fitness First in Germany. Work out, join group fitness classes, or relax in the wellness facilities.
   
   International Environment
   We truly embody diversity at Crytek. With employees from over 42 different countries, we define ourselves by our cultural diversity.
   
   German Classes
   Understanding the local culture will make your stay abroad more enjoyable, and Crytek supports that by offering German language courses for you and your family.
   
   Vacation Days
   At our Frankfurt office you can enjoy 24 days of vacation per year, and every 2 years you get 1 more (up to a maximum of 28 days). You will also have on average 10 public holidays on top of the days you take off. If you are working from another country, local standards apply.
   
   *only applicable to employees in Frankfurt.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find video game animators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any video game animators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level video game animators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your video game animator job on Zippia to find and recruit video game animator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit video game animators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new video game animator

   Once you've found the video game animator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new video game animator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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