Also called: Digital Sculptor, Figure Sculptor
Sculpts action figures, collectible statues, and toy characters, usually in 3D software, for toy and collectibles companies.
A figure sculptor sculpts a superhero in ZBrush, making sure joints still work, then sends the file to be 3D printed. After a licensing review from the movie studio they fix the face to look more like the actor.
Approximate; staff and freelance work for toy and collectibles companies.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Degree in industrial design, sculpture, or animation; portfolio is key.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Industrial Design, Sculpture, 3D Animation.
Growing about average. Steady with collectibles and licensed toys.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI 3D tools quickly make rough figures; licensed likeness work and refined details still need skilled digital sculptors.
Classes: Art 3-D Design, Digital art, Anatomy or biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.