Animator Jobs in California
Animator jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in entertainment, gaming, visual effects, and digital media, with openings at every level from junior animator to lead and principal. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Burbank are the dominant hiring centers, anchored by major employers such as Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Riot Games. The most in-demand specialties right now are 3D character animation, motion graphics, and real-time game animation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Animator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Animator jobs
General Information
- Location: Vancouver - Great Northern Way
- State: British Columbia
- Country: Canada
- Location: Madison
- State: Wisconsin
- Country: United States of America
Description & Requirements
We are looking for a talented and experienced Gameplay Animator to join the Apex Legends Animation team. You are passionate about making games in a collaborative environment with a team of experienced developers and building player-first experiences. In this role you will help to establish and realize an immersive experience through remarkable animations and gameplay.
What you’ll do…
- Deliver powerful & believable animation performances in from initial blocking to final polish with style and personality in first and third person gameplay.
- Develop and apply strong knowledge of craft and content, from conceptualization (blocking, collaborating with mocap talent) through to realization (polished key-framing/motion editing, implementation in the game)
- Work closely with Designers and members of all disciplines to ensure that we achieve responsive, immersive gameplay that feels rewarding to our players.
- Maintain communication across all relevant disciplines (production, design, art, audio, VFX) throughout the development of your areas of responsibility.
- Be proactive in assessing and evolving both workflow and player experience for Apex Legends.
Ideally you have…
- 3+ years of professional game development experience,
- A strong understanding of video game animation development
- Proficiency in a 3D animation package such as Autodesk Maya
- Experience creating behaviors and full body/bipedal animations and some knowledge of first person animation
- An understanding of motion capture editing (re-posing, re-timing and "plusing" mocap data)
- Familiarity animating cameras, together with an understanding of cinematography.
- Experience working closely with other domains–especially Designers, Engineers and Artists
- A proactive work ethic and a sense of responsibility for the continued success of Apex Legends
- Strong animation talent & experience outside of games will be considered.
Pay Transparency - North America
General Information
- Location: Vancouver - Great Northern Way
- State: British Columbia
- Country: Canada
- Location: Madison
- State: Wisconsin
- Country: United States of America
Description & Requirements
We are looking for a talented and experienced Gameplay Animator to join the Apex Legends Animation team. You are passionate about making games in a collaborative environment with a team of experienced developers and building player-first experiences. In this role you will help to establish and realize an immersive experience through remarkable animations and gameplay.
What you’ll do…
- Deliver powerful & believable animation performances in from initial blocking to final polish with style and personality in first and third person gameplay.
- Develop and apply strong knowledge of craft and content, from conceptualization (blocking, collaborating with mocap talent) through to realization (polished key-framing/motion editing, implementation in the game)
- Work closely with Designers and members of all disciplines to ensure that we achieve responsive, immersive gameplay that feels rewarding to our players.
- Maintain communication across all relevant disciplines (production, design, art, audio, VFX) throughout the development of your areas of responsibility.
- Be proactive in assessing and evolving both workflow and player experience for Apex Legends.
Ideally you have…
- 3+ years of professional game development experience,
- A strong understanding of video game animation development
- Proficiency in a 3D animation package such as Autodesk Maya
- Experience creating behaviors and full body/bipedal animations and some knowledge of first person animation
- An understanding of motion capture editing (re-posing, re-timing and "plusing" mocap data)
- Familiarity animating cameras, together with an understanding of cinematography.
- Experience working closely with other domains–especially Designers, Engineers and Artists
- A proactive work ethic and a sense of responsibility for the continued success of Apex Legends
- Strong animation talent & experience outside of games will be considered.
Pay Transparency - North America
See All 10 Animator Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animator JobsAnimator Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animator Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animator jobs across California.
- Portfolio demonstrating professional animation work across multiple styles or pipelines
- Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, Blender, or Adobe Animate
- Bachelor's degree in animation, fine arts, or a closely related field
- Experience animating characters or assets for film, games, or broadcast production
- Ability to collaborate within large creative teams and adapt to studio feedback
- Familiarity with rigging, motion capture workflows, or real-time engine pipelines
Animator Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a animator in California?
California does not require a state license to work as an animator, so the path centers on building a competitive portfolio and earning a relevant degree. Most studios in Los Angeles and the Bay Area expect candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in animation, visual effects, or a related field from programs offered at schools such as CalArts, UCLA, or SCAD's online program. Completing internships with California studios while in school is the most reliable way to move into a first professional role.
How much do animators make in California?
Animators in California earn a median of about $130,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $71,710 for the lowest 10% to over $206,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire animators in California?
Employers hiring animators in California right now include Electronic Arts, Adobe, and Ember Lab, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of major film studios, independent game developers, and streaming platforms means animator demand is distributed across both large household-name companies and smaller boutique production houses throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most animator jobs?
Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Orange have the most animator openings in California. Los Angeles and Burbank account for the largest share, driven by the concentration of major film studios, streaming companies, and visual effects houses headquartered there, while San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area reflect the strong presence of game studios and technology-driven animation companies such as Pixar and several mid-size independent developers.
Are there remote animator jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most creative fields, since much of the production pipeline can run entirely through cloud-based tools and remote review sessions. About 100% of animator openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how broadly studios have adopted distributed workflows since the shift to remote production. Motion graphics, storyboard, and 2D animation roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while on-set or mo-cap work remains on-site.
How can I get hired as a animator in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a studio internship or junior production role secured while completing a degree at a California animation program. Large California employers such as DreamWorks Animation and Riot Games run structured internship programs that regularly convert to full-time positions. Entry-level titles like production assistant, rigging assistant, or rotoscope artist are common starting points that build pipeline experience without requiring an extensive reel, and a focused portfolio of three to five polished pieces matters more than years of credited work.
Where can I find and apply to animator jobs in California?
You can find and apply to animator jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across studios, game companies, and digital media employers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to each opening.
See All 10 Animator Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animator Jobs