Have you ever wondered how much 3D modelers make? Then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll cover the average 3D modeler salary by geographic location, the highest-paid job titles, and more.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
| Alabama | $49,453 |
| Alaska | $65,051 |
| Arizona | $68,563 |
| Arkansas | $67,338 |
| California | $104,693 |
| Colorado | $72,024 |
| Connecticut | $113,271 |
| Delaware | $110,817 |
| District of Columbia | $108,992 |
| Florida | $56,191 |
| Georgia | $51,078 |
| Hawaii | $39,479 |
| Idaho | $85,570 |
| Illinois | $82,276 |
| Indiana | $73,581 |
| Iowa | $76,210 |
| Kansas | $73,585 |
| Kentucky | $69,846 |
| Louisiana | $41,970 |
| Maine | $81,095 |
| Maryland | $94,576 |
| Massachusetts | $54,169 |
| Michigan | $78,636 |
| Minnesota | $55,034 |
| Mississippi | $48,392 |
| Missouri | $50,631 |
| Montana | $49,116 |
| Nebraska | $51,301 |
| Nevada | $127,767 |
| New Hampshire | $112,744 |
| New Jersey | $73,972 |
| New Mexico | $78,135 |
| New York | $93,984 |
| North Carolina | $78,075 |
| North Dakota | $72,778 |
| Ohio | $48,040 |
| Oklahoma | $56,174 |
| Oregon | $78,971 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,403 |
| Rhode Island | $114,040 |
| South Carolina | $41,465 |
| South Dakota | $44,620 |
| Tennessee | $67,674 |
| Texas | $56,987 |
| Utah | $67,243 |
| Vermont | $68,661 |
| Virginia | $77,053 |
| Washington | $98,459 |
| West Virginia | $75,311 |
| Wisconsin | $66,014 |
| Wyoming | $55,849 |
How much do 3D modelers make?
So, the big question is, how much do 3D modelers earn?
Ultimately, the amount of money you’ll make as a 3D modeler depends on factors like:
- Experience
- Job title
- Geographic location
- What industry you work in
- The company you work for
- Whether you’re an employee or a freelancer
Generally, though, 3D modelers make between $50K and $114K a year, with the average 3D modeler salary being $75,946 per year, or $36.51 per hour. Compare that to the average yearly salary in the US, which is $59,428.
And with experience, your salary can go up. Experienced 3D modelers who have worked in the field for many years can make substantially more than the average. For example, 3D managers have a pay range of $117K – $202K per year.
The great thing about 3D modeling as a career path is that it offers the potential for growth. In fact, lots of our students have gone from jobs they didn’t like to well-paid careers in 3D modeling and lighting — and so can you.
Now that you’ve seen how much 3D modelers make in general, let’s look at the salary you can earn in specific industries.
Average 3D modeler salary by industry
There are lots of different job types within 3D modeling, and each industry has a different pay range.
But why are there differences in pay? Essentially, some types of 3D modeling are more in demand and more complex than others, which can increase the salary for that specific role.
Before you begin searching for roles, you’ll want to check out the salaries that 3D modelers make in different industries.
So, here are the top 10 industries for 3D modelers, plus how much you can expect to earn in each one:
| 3D Exhibits | $56,500-$101,000 per year |
| 3D Environment Modeling | $58,500-$98,000 per year |
| 3D Modeling Artist | $56,500-$101,000 per year |
| 3D Max Modeling | $58,500-$98,000 per year |
| 3D Designer | $41,500-$75,000 per year |
| 3D Character Modeler | $58,500-$98,000 per year |
| 3D Hard Surface Modeling | $58,500-$98,000 per year |
| 3D Model Designer | $41,500-$75,000 per year |
| 3D Artist | $56,500-$101,000 per year |
| 3D | $32,500-$40,500 per year |
Now that we’ve covered the salary range for different jobs in 3D modeling, let’s look at the highest-paying states and cities for 3D modelers.
Average 3D modeler salary by location
As we discussed earlier, there are many different factors that determine the salary of a 3D modeler. And one of the important ones is geographic location.
In the US, the highest-paying jobs for 3D modelers are in the Northeast and West, with some of the top states being New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Nevada.
Here you can see the states where 3D modelers are paid the most and the average annual salary in each:
| Nevada | $127,767 |
| Rhode Island | $114,040 |
| Connecticut | $113,271 |
| New Hampshire | $112,744 |
| Delaware | $110,817 |
| District of Columbia | $108,992 |
| California | $104,693 |
| Washington | $98,459 |
| Maryland | $94,576 |
| New York | $93,984 |
| Idaho | $85,570 |
| Illinois | $82,276 |
| Maine | $81,095 |
| Oregon | $78,971 |
| Michigan | $78,636 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,403 |
| New Mexico | $78,135 |
| North Carolina | $78,075 |
| Virginia | $77,053 |
| Iowa | $76,210 |
And here’s a list of the top-paying cities for 3D modelers in the US:
| San Francisco, CA | $117,269 |
| Nashua, NH | $113,217 |
| Greenwich, CT | $112,950 |
| Seattle, WA | $99,073 |
| New York, NY | $94,133 |
| Portland, ME | $81,529 |
| Raleigh, NC | $79,957 |
| Sterling, VA | $78,745 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $73,354 |
| Mesa, AZ | $68,408 |
| Lebanon, TN | $68,026 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $66,855 |
| Lubbock, TX | $59,490 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,975 |
| Milford, MA | $54,209 |
| Atlanta, GA | $51,394 |
| Huntsville, AL | $50,329 |
| Charleston, SC | $40,610 |
So, those are the states and cities that pay 3D modelers the most. Next up, let’s look at the salary trend for the industry.
3D modeler salary trends
When deciding which career to choose, it’s a good idea to look at the salary trend for the field you’re considering. That’s what we’ll do next with 3D modeling.
Overall, the demand for 3D modelers is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for special effects artists and animators are expected to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average.
And salaries are expected to go up as well. Over the last 15 years, average salaries have grown from $49,155 per year in 2009, to $75,946 per year in 2024 — which more than makes up for inflation.
Even better? More and more industries are looking for 3D modelers. Everyone knows that 3D modelers are needed to work in the video game, movie, and TV industries, but did you know that 3D artists are working in architectural design, 3D printing, and virtual reality as well?
These are new and exciting fields to work in, and many of them, like virtual reality, are growing very quickly. This means that career options for 3D modelers are expanding, and it looks like they’ll continue to grow.
So, with faster-than-average industry growth, rising wages, and growing career opportunities, a career in 3D modeling is looking like a solid choice.
The 10 highest-paid 3D modeling job titles
As you can imagine, there are many job titles within 3D modeling, but do you know which ones earn the most?
Some 3D modelers can make substantially more than others just by specializing in an in-demand field. So if you’re after the best possible income, it’s worth getting to know the salaries for each position.
Here are the top 10 careers in 3D modeling with the average salary for each:
| 3D modeler | $75,946 |
| Character artist | $72,126 |
| Environment artist | $76,815 |
| Texture artist | $87,154 |
| Look dev artist | $81,873 |
| 3D visualization artist | $81,113 |
| 3D product designer | $65,066 |
| Game artist | $86,932 |
| Layout artist | $66,888 |
| 3D animator | $73,596 |
Now you’re familiar with the different salaries, let’s look at some tips you can use to increase your income as a 3D modeler.
Tips to increase 3D modeler salaries and earnings
So, you’d like to increase your income as a 3D modeler, but how can you actually achieve this? Here are some tips and ideas to help you:
- Develop the right skills. Many 3D modeling jobs don’t require a degree, but employers do want to know that you have the skills you need to do your job well. While there are degrees and certifications you can get as a 3D modeler, you can also learn the skills by enrolling in online programs (like our program where we teach you exactly how to become a 3D modeling artist). (Learn the latest software. Keeping up-to-date with the latest software in your field can show your boss how committed you are. This could help you get raises and promotions faster.
- Build a strong portfolio. Your portfolio will be one of the first things potential employers look at. If you have an impressive portfolio, you’ll be more likely to land a high-paying job.
- Create your own projects. One of the best ways to learn 3D modeling is to work on your own projects, either in your spare time or as a freelancer. You learn the required skills, while creating work you can showcase in your portfolio.
As you can see, there are many ways to increase your earnings as a 3D modeler, and using one or two of these tips will help get you started.
Remember: you don’t necessarily need to make a big change. Even just spending a few hours improving your portfolio can give you the edge you need to land a higher-paying job.
Next steps
So there you go! In this article, we’ve answered ‘How much do 3D modelers make?’ We’ve also looked at the salaries within different industries, the top-paying states and cities, and the 3D modeler salary trend moving forward.
Want to start your own 3D modeling careers? Get our FREE PDF that shows you exactly how to create a portfolio hiring managers will notice.
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