Lead 3D Artist Salary in Durham, North Carolina

How much does a Lead 3D Artist make in Durham, NC?

As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Lead 3D Artist in Durham, NC is $95,894. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $75,238 to a high of $114,357, with most professionals earning between $85,082 and $105,558.

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Salary range for a Lead 3D Artist

$85,082 to $105,558

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What is a Lead 3D Artist?

As a Lead 3D Artist, you will be responsible for overseeing the creation and implementation of 3D assets for various projects. You will lead a team of 3D artists, providing guidance and feedback to ensure the quality and consistency of the final product. Additionally, you will collaborate with other departments such as art direction, game design, and engineering to ensure that the 3D assets align with the overall vision and technical requirements of the project. Your role will also involve staying updated on industry trends and best practices to continuously improve the quality of the 3D assets produced. Strong leadership, communication, and technical skills are essential for success in this role.

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Job Openings for Lead 3D Artist in Durham, NC

What does a Lead 3D Artist do?

Common responsibilities of a Lead 3D Artist

Contribute to the overall creative vision and direction of the project, providing input and ideas for the visual and artistic aspects of the game or project.

September 02, 2023

Oversee and manage the 3D art team, providing guidance and direction to ensure high-quality work and adherence to project timelines.

September 03, 2023

Collaborate with the art director and other team leads to establish and maintain the visual style and quality of 3D assets.

September 04, 2023

Participate in the creation of concept art and design, translating 2D concepts into 3D models and textures.

October 01, 2023

Stay current with industry trends and best practices in 3D art, and implement new techniques and technologies as appropriate.

October 09, 2023

Work closely with the technical art team to ensure that 3D assets are optimized for performance and compatibility with the game engine or platform.

October 13, 2023

Review and provide feedback on 3D art assets created by external vendors or freelancers, ensuring they meet project requirements and standards.

October 17, 2023

Create and implement 3D art pipelines and workflows to optimize efficiency and productivity within the team.

October 21, 2023

Mentor and train junior 3D artists, providing feedback and support to help them develop their skills and grow within the team.

November 15, 2023

Collaborate with other departments, such as animation and level design, to ensure seamless integration of 3D assets into the game or project.

November 29, 2023

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Lead 3D Artist Salary By Experience Levels in Durham, NC

How much should you be earning in Lead 3D Artist in Durham, NC based on your current experience?

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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Lead 3D Artist Salary By Level of Education in Durham, NC

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Lead 3D Artist in Durham, NC

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

85082

105558

95894

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

90802

114222

103378

What is the average salary for Lead 3D Artist in 2025?

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Lead 3D Artist in Durham, NC. The base salary for Lead 3D Artist ranges from $85,082 to $105,558 with the average base salary of $95,894. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $90,802 to $114,222 with the average total cash compensation of $103,378.

View Average Salary for Lead 3D Artist as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$95,894	$85,082 - $105,558
Bonus	$7,484	$5,720 - $8,663
Total Pay	$103,378	$90,802 - $114,222

* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.

* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Lead 3D Artist Salary Near Durham, NC

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE Chapel Hill, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $84,651 - $105,024	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE Cary, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $85,671 - $106,289	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE Raleigh, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $85,671 - $106,289	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE Burlington, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $83,631 - $103,758	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE High Point, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $84,502 - $104,839	COMPARE TO Durham, NC
CITY, STATE Greensboro, NC	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $84,000 - $104,216	COMPARE TO Durham, NC

See salaries for Lead 3D Artist in locations close to Durham, NC. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

About Durham, North Carolina

Durham is a city in and the county seat of Durham County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 251,893 as of July 1, 2014, making it the 4th-most populous city in North Carolina, and the 78th-most populous city in the United States. Durham is the core of the four-county Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 542,710 as of U.S. Census 2014 Population Estimates. The US Office of Management and Budget also includes Durham as a part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area, which has a populatio...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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