What’s the Average Salary for 3D Artists in 2022, and How Do You Become 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.

What do 3D artists do?

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.

What skills and education do 3D artists need?

Here’s what you’ll need to get hired as a 3D artist:

• Formal or informal education - Some job listings require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in computer animation, graphic design, fine arts or a related field. If you don’t have time or resources to get a formal education, consider learning the fundamentals of 3D through online courses.
• Familiarity with 3D graphics tools - You’ll need to be familiar with tools like Blender, Maya, Zbrush or Cinema 4D. Many job listings also require proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.
• A portfolio of your work - A great portfolio helps you show off your skills to a potential client or employer. This is especially useful if you don’t have a formal 3D education, or if you’re just starting out.

Are 3D artists in demand?

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:

• The 3D animation market was valued at $16.64 billion in 2020, and is expected to grow by 11.7% yearly from 2021 to 2028.
• The 3D modeling and mapping market was valued at $13.49 billion in 2020, and is expected to grow by 20.9% yearly from 2021 to 2026.
• The 3D printing market was valued at $13.84 in 2021, and is expected to grow by 20.8% yearly from 2022 to 2030.

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.

Average 3D artist salaries in 2022

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.

3D artist salaries by location

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.

3D artist salaries by experience

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.

• 3D artist - $74,818
• Senior 3D artist - $87,684
• Lead 3D artist - $100,571

On the other hand, Payscale has more conservative salary estimates. Here are its estimates of average total salaries according to years of experience.

• < 1 year - $47,000
• 1 to 4 years - $52,000
• 5 to 9 years - $61,000
• 10 to 19 years - $70,000
• 20+ years - $75,000

3D artist salaries compared to other 3D roles

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.

• 3D character artist - $69,640
• 3D artist - $74,818
• 3D designer - $76,645
• 3D modeling and texturing artist - $77,424
• 3D environment artist - $79,163
• 3D digital artist - $84,278
• 3D game artist - $84,805
• 3D character animator - $84,839
• 3D animator - $97,629

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.

Other ways to earn an income as a 3D artist

Besides full-time employment, here are other ways you can make money from your 3D skills:

• Take up gig work - If you’re just starting out, taking up short-term gigs can help you get experience working with clients, as well as build your portfolio of work. 3D artists on platforms like Fiverr charge anywhere from $15 to hundreds of dollars for 3D design, modeling and rendering.
• Freelance - Some studios hire 3D artists on a freelance basis. Your pay may be paid hourly or by project. Find freelance roles on platforms like Upwork, Glassdoor or Indeed.
• Sell information products - Create 3D-related books, tutorials or courses to sell on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare and Gumroad. This can require in-depth knowledge, and may be really time-intensive upfront.
• Sell 3D assets - If you’re creating 3D icons and illustrations, you could monetize your skills by selling on Iconscout. You’ll get a 70% royalty split for any assets you sell – one of the highest in the industry. Top contributors on Iconscout earn up to thousands of dollars every month!

Start your journey as a 3D artist

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!