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.
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Team Name:
CinematicsJob Title:
Senior Animator – Temp (SFD / Cinematics)Requisition ID:
R028064Job Description:
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a dedicated 3D animator to assist our Cinematics team in crafting the next generation of Epic animated films.
Responsibilities
Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
The cinematic animator will be skilled at animating characters at a level that lives up to the ever-increasing Blizzard Entertainment standard of quality. The ideal candidate has a passion for animation and film making, with experience animating a diverse array of characters and creatures in different styles, from cartoony to realistic and anywhere in-between. A solid grasp of body mechanics and character acting with a mastery of the 12 principles of animation are critical. You must enjoy working on a highly collaborative team of peers as passionate about making phenomenal movies and games as we are. Blizzard Entertainment offers a fun, creative, and technically challenging environment with excellent compensation.
This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.
We have multiple temporary positions with term lengths about 6-months.
Minimum Requirements
Experience
7+ years' experience in game development, television, or film industry using Maya or equivalent 3D program
Experience working with Directors, Animation Supervisors and Leads developing, defining, and maintaining high-end cinematic animations
Knowledge & Skills
A demo reel demonstrating high quality hand-keyed animations through solid body mechanics and engaging performances
A solid grasp of body mechanics and character acting with a mastery of the 12 principles of animation are essential
Key Attributes
Passion for film, animation, and video games
Self-motivation, good communication skills, and a great team-player attitude
Assist in supporting and evolving the Cinematics team with constructive feedback both technically and artistically
Extra Points
Artistic skills: storyboarding, gesture drawing, 2D animation, composition
Technical skills: rigging, scripting, and understanding of pipeline
Physical skills: acting, martial arts, and choreography
Film making skills: cinematography, pre-visualization, editing, and story writing
Understanding of FX, particles, cloth, and hair as they contribute to a character’s performance and other facets of both 2D and 3D animation is essential
Your Platform
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Our World
Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!
Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!
The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.
Rewards
We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
- Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
- 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
- Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
- Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
- If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.
Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $39.54 - $73.16 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.See All 6 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


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 Apple, Jam City, and Ember Lab, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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?
Irvine, Orange, and Cupertino 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 33% of animator openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 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 6 Animator Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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