Background Artist Jobs

Background Artist jobs are open across animation studios, film and television production, video game development, and advertising, from entry-level to senior and art director level, with specializations in environment painting, matte painting, and concept art. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles150+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerPeraton
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Work type74% On-site
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 150+ Background Artist jobs

Outside Sales Representative – Automotive Aftermarket (Tire Shop Background Preferred)
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New 16h ago
Outside Sales Representative – Automotive Aftermarket (Tire Shop Background Preferred)
Orange Electronic
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Account Management
Inside Sales
Sales
$46k - $63k/yr
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Aircraft Structures (Sheet Metal, Structural Mechanic Background) Instructor/Trainer
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Added 1d ago
Aircraft Structures (Sheet Metal, Structural Mechanic Background) Instructor/Trainer
GP Strategies Government Solutions
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania
Corporate Training
Higher Education
Teaching & Instruction

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Front Desk Receptionist (Bilingual Spanish/English) (MA background) (Northeast Medical Office)
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Added 1d ago
Front Desk Receptionist (Bilingual Spanish/English) (MA background) (Northeast Medical Office)
Jonathan B Levyn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$18 - $20/hr
On-Site

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Administrative Staff Specialist - #W2536 (Div. of Business Operations/Office of Background Investigations) -
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Added 1d ago
Administrative Staff Specialist - #W2536 (Div. of Business Operations/Office of Background Investigations) -
Department of Social Services
Henrico County, VA
Community & Nonprofit Services
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
$59k - $71k/yr
Military encouraged

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26ft box truck Furniture delivery and assembly DRIVER/HELPER needed MUST PASS BACKGROUND
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Added 1d ago
26ft box truck Furniture delivery and assembly DRIVER/HELPER needed MUST PASS BACKGROUND
ILTS LOGISTICS LLC
Grand Prairie, Texas
Logistics & Fleet Management
Supply Chain
Warehouse Operations
$800 - $1,200/yr
On-Site

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Background Artist Jobs by Experience Level

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Background Artist Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Peraton12
  • Northwestern Mutual8
  • ADC LTD NM5
  • Mangone Law Firm5
  • CACI International4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance
  • Government & Public Sector
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in background artist jobs.

  • Proficiency in Photoshop and digital painting for 2D background production
  • Strong traditional art fundamentals including perspective, lighting, and color theory
  • Experience creating backgrounds consistent with a defined visual style or art bible
  • Ability to work within a studio pipeline alongside animators, layout artists, and directors
  • Portfolio demonstrating completed background work across multiple scenes or environments
  • Familiarity with animation software such as Toon Boom Harmony or TVPaint

Tips for Your Background Artist Job Search

Tailor your portfolio to production context

Hiring teams for background artist roles want to see work that matches their pipeline, whether that's stylized 2D animation, photoreal environments, or graphic novel aesthetics. Organize your portfolio by style and medium so reviewers can find relevant samples immediately.

Show your process, not just finals

Many background artist roles require you to submit a process document or breakdown reel alongside finished pieces. Include value sketches, color comps, and final passes to show how you work from brief to deliverable, not just that you can produce polished images.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists background artist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Read the production style guide before applying

When a job listing mentions a specific show, game, or film in production, research its visual style before you apply. Submitting samples that visually align with the studio's current project signals awareness of their aesthetic and reduces the gap between your portfolio and their needs.

Prepare for a paid art test

Most studios ask finalists to complete a timed or take-home art test before an offer. Practice working within constraints like a fixed color palette, a character standing in the scene, or a time limit to build the muscle memory for delivering quality under production conditions.

Negotiate based on project length and licensing

Background artist contracts often vary by episodic, feature, or game-milestone billing, and the rights granted to your work can affect long-term value. Before accepting, clarify whether the rate is per episode, per asset, or salaried, and confirm whether your credit appears in the finished production.

Background Artist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most background artists?

The most active employers for background artists right now are Peraton, Northwestern Mutual, and ADC LTD NM, and the most openings are in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to track closely with active production slates at animation and game studios.

How many background artist jobs are remote?

About 26% of background artist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the digital nature of the work. Matte painting and concept-focused roles are the most likely to offer remote arrangements, while episodic television backgrounds often require on-site collaboration with the layout and color departments.

How do you become a background artist?

Start by developing strong foundational skills in perspective drawing, color theory, and value composition through structured study or a formal art program. Build a focused portfolio that demonstrates backgrounds in a consistent style, targeting the medium you want to work in, whether animation, games, or film. Seek feedback through portfolio reviews, then apply to junior or freelance roles to gain production experience working within a real art pipeline.

Can you get hired as a background artist with little experience?

Yes, studios do hire background artists with limited professional credits when the portfolio is strong and stylistically aligned with the studio's work. Focus on creating self-directed projects that mimic a real production environment, such as fully painted background sets for a short film or a game level you designed yourself. Assistant background artist and background apprenticeship roles are specifically designed for candidates coming out of school or early in their career.

What does the background artist interview process look like?

The process typically starts with a portfolio review by the art director, followed by a brief conversation about your process and production experience. Candidates who advance usually complete an art test, which may be timed or take-home, designed to assess how accurately you can match a studio's style under realistic conditions. A final interview with the production or creative team covers workflow, revision culture, and software proficiency before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to background artist jobs?

You can find and apply to background artist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from studios and production companies across the United States. Find roles that match your style, experience level, and preferred medium, then apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 150+ Background Artist Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Background Artist Jobs