Dallas, TX · Updated Daily
Animator Jobs in Dallas
Find animator jobs in Dallas from game studios across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Gearbox Software, id Software, and a growing cluster of independent studios make the DFW area one of the most active game animation markets in Texas.
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Animator Roles in Dallas
We curate animator positions from game studios across the Dallas area.
🎬
Junior Animator
⭐
Animator
🌟
Senior Animator
👑
Lead Animator
🧑🎤
Character Animator
🎥
Cinematic Animator
🎮
Gameplay Animator
✨
VFX Animator
Dallas Game Studios Hiring Animators
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a growing game industry anchored by major studios:
Gearbox Software
id Software (Frisco)
Certain Affinity
Panic Button
Terminal Reality
Sway Studio
Mega Cat Studios
GameLogic
+ More Studios
Animator Salary Ranges in Dallas
What animator roles pay at Dallas game studios. Texas has no state income tax.
Junior Animator
$52K - $72K
Animator
$72K - $90K
Senior Animator
$88K - $115K
Lead Animator
$110K - $145K
*Salaries listed in USD. Texas has no state income tax, increasing effective take-home pay relative to coastal markets. Dallas cost of living is significantly lower than Los Angeles or San Francisco.
What Dallas Studios Look For in Animators
Skills and qualities that get animators hired in Dallas.
🎬 Core Animation
- 12 principles mastery
- Gameplay, cinematic, and character animation
- Motion capture cleanup and integration
- Body mechanics and weight
- Facial animation and performance
🎮 Tools and Engines
- Maya (primary standard)
- Unreal Engine animation blueprints
- Unity Animator and state machines
- MotionBuilder for mocap workflows
- Perforce version control
🌟 What DFW Studios Want
- Portfolio with shipped or in-development work
- Versatility across gameplay and cinematic styles
- Strong collaboration with design and engineering
- Understanding of animation budgets and optimization
- No visa sponsorship required for most roles
💡 Standing Out
- Reel focused on weight, timing, and performance
- Clear breakdown of mocap vs keyframe contributions
- Show gameplay state machine awareness
- ArtStation or portfolio site, not YouTube-only
- Apply within 24 hours of posting
Animator Jobs in Dallas FAQ
Are there animator jobs in Dallas?
Yes. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a growing game industry with studios like Gearbox Software, id Software, and Certain Affinity actively hiring animators. Texas's favorable business environment and zero income tax attract game studios, and the DFW region has become one of the most active game dev markets in the south.
Which studios in Dallas hire animators?
Key studios hiring animators in the DFW area include Gearbox Software (Frisco), id Software, Certain Affinity, Panic Button, and Terminal Reality. The area also has a strong cluster of independent and mobile studios that hire animation talent regularly.
What is the salary for an animator in Dallas?
In Dallas: Junior Animators earn $52K-$72K, mid-level $72K-$90K, Senior Animators $88K-$115K, and Lead Animators $110K-$145K. Texas has no state income tax, making take-home pay significantly higher than equivalent salaries in California or New York.
Do Dallas studios hire remote animators?
Many DFW studios offer hybrid or fully remote arrangements, particularly for senior and contract roles. Texas's time zone (Central) is well-suited for cross-team collaboration with both coasts. Some studios prefer on-site for junior roles during ramp-up periods.
How do I find animator jobs in Dallas?
ArtBlast curates animator jobs daily and flags Texas and DFW roles specifically. Applying within the first 24-48 hours gives you the best chance of being reviewed. Paid subscribers get Discord live alerts the moment new Dallas animator roles post.