Thinking of taking up a job as a 3D artist? Here’s what 3D artists do, how much they earn, and what you’ll need to get hired as one.
Being a 3D artist is a bit like being a wizard. You have the power to create worlds – or scenes, at least – from your imagination. And to the uninitiated, the process of creation can look like magic.
But unlike wizardry (as far as we know), being a 3D artist is actually attainable. Here, we explore what 3D artists do, what you’ll need to get hired, and estimates for 3D artist salaries.
3D artists…well, create 3D art. This means using computer software to create 3D models, animations and visual effects. These aren’t just used in video games or filmmaking – there are lots of industries that involve 3D graphics and animations, including manufacturing, architecture, education and healthcare.
Some 3D artists are generalists, which means they are familiar with all aspects of 3D production, but aren’t experts in a particular field. Other 3D artists are specialists in a certain field, such as 3D animation, modeling, visual effects (VFX) or 3D graphic design.
Here’s what you’ll need to get hired as a 3D artist:
The short answer? Yep.
Okay, now for the longer answer – the 3D industry is booming. Here’s how these fields within the 3D industry are expected to grow:
Of course, a booming industry doesn’t necessarily mean that companies are ramping up hiring. But the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the employment for special effects artists and animators (a category that includes 3D animators) is projected to grow by 16% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations, which is projected at 8%.
However, it’s still a niche role – the BLS estimates 7,800 openings for special effects artists and animators in the United States each year. By contrast, the BLS estimates 23,900 openings for graphic designers each year.
So how much do 3D artists make? According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a 3D artist is $74,818 a year. This is made up of a base pay of $57,727 and an additional pay (which includes other types of pay like bonuses or profit-sharing) of $17,090.
Similarly, Payscale reports that 3D artists earn an average base pay of $56,472 a year.
Of course, the average 3D artist salary will vary depending on where you live. For example, according to Payscale, 3D artists in New York earn an average of 23.4% more than the national average in the US. On the other hand, 3D artists earn lower salaries in Hunstville, Alabama (12.1% less) and Chicago, Illinois (9.8% less) and Orlando, Florida (8.3% less).
Salaries will vary more if you compare against different countries. For example, according to Glassdoor, the average 3D artist in India earns ₹46,686 a month or ₹560,232 a year – that’s $7,347 annually.
As a 3D artist, your salary can grow significantly as you gain more experience. Here are the average total salaries for 3D artists by seniority, according to Glassdoor.
On the other hand, Payscale has more conservative salary estimates. Here are its estimates of average total salaries according to years of experience.
Do 3D artists earn more compared to other roles that specialize in a specific field? Here’s how much 3D artists earn (including base pay and additional pay) when compared to other 3D roles, according to Glassdoor.
If you’ve glanced through the list above, you’ll notice that many roles pay higher than the average salary of a 3D artist. This could mean that specializing in a field has better financial payoff.
Besides full-time employment, here are other ways you can make money from your 3D skills:
Getting hired as a 3D artist can be tough – there aren’t as many job openings for 3D artists compared to say, conventional graphic design or software development. But the 3D industry is booming, and employment growth for 3D artists is on the rise. Being a 3D artist can also pay well – plus, there are plenty of ways to monetize your 3D skills for side income.
Still on the fence? You don’t have to dive deep immediately. Start out by following a 3D tutorial or two, then consider if you want to learn more. For example, here’s a great introductory guide to 3D design and Blender – you’ll even create a three-dimensional snowman in the process. And if you’d like, share your creations with us on Twitter!