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In today’s market, clarity around the 2D environment artist hire cost is just as important as the creative vision itself. As reported by MarketReportAnalytics, the projected 2D game art market size, including environmental design, is around $500 million in 2025, due to high demand for quality visuals.
Below, we’ve outlined typical 2d environmental art price ranges you can expect when budgeting for 2D environment artwork. These numbers vary depending on complexity, style and polish level, but they give a reliable baseline for any potential planning of your projects.
Here’s what studios can expect to pay depending on the scope and detail of the work:
Pricing comparison:
These figures reflect the most common 2D environmental art rates across project sizes.
| Type of 3D Environmental Artwork | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Basic backgrounds or simple scenes | $200 – $600 |
| Mid-level, stylized environments | $500 – $2,500 |
| Detailed, layered scenes with props | $2,500 – $9,000+ |
| Complex, large-scale environments | $5,000 – $10,000+ |
Need a custom quote? Email us at hello@rocketbrush.com with your project details and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Some peculiar aspects affect the final 2D environmental art cost and you should definitely keep them in mind as you plan your budgeting. Have a look at them:
With careful planning, the 2D environment artist hire cost can fit neatly into your overall budget. Several elements shape the final cost of a 2D environment more than others, though. Understanding them makes planning more transparent.
Remember these key points to keep your budget on track:
Here are the core things that may affect the initial budget. If you can be prepared for them, you can avoid budget creep
The more assets, layers and visual depth a scene requires, the more hours go into production. Environmental art requires a lot of attention since it’s all about immersing players into the world you’re making.
Clean, stylized backgrounds are quicker to produce than painterly, high-detail art that raises the 2d environmental art cost. Luckily, two-dimensional backgrounds will require a bit less work than 3D ones.
Each design pass or major revision adds time, so a clear brief saves costs, even though it’s pretty difficult to nail at the start, even for smaller projects.
2D environments meant for parallax, animation or interactivity demand additional preparation, just like any non-static works and affect the final 2d environmental art budget. And yet, it enhances the visuals so well!
Our own game, The Unliving, has a lot of meticulously crafted environments in pixelated 2D | Artwork by RocketBrush Studio
There are smart ways to manage the 2d environment artist hire budget and keep it lean while still achieving strong results.
Choosing the right artist or studio can save both money and frustration. The right choice makes a big difference in keeping the 2d environmental art price within range. Here are key things to check before hiring:
How much does it cost to hire a 2D environment artist in 2025?
Prices vary by complexity, style, and region. Simple backgrounds may cost $200–600, while detailed layered scenes range from $2,500–9,000+. Large-scale, complex environments can exceed $10,000. Hourly rates typically fall between $20–80, depending on the artist's level and location.
What affects the 2D environment artist hire cost for games and animations?
Key factors include scene complexity, art style (stylized vs. painterly), number of revisions, animation or parallax requirements, optimization for engines like Unity/Unreal, and production deadlines.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelance 2D environment designer or a studio?
Freelancers are usually cheaper, often charging $20–50/hour, but may lack full production support. Studios charge more ($50–80+/hour) but provide complete pipelines, project management and quality assurance, which can save costs in the long run for larger projects.
What is the average 2D environment designer hire USA cost?
In the United States, experienced 2D environment artists typically charge $50–120/hour, with project-based work for mid-sized environments ranging from $2,500–10,000+. Rates are higher than in Eastern Europe or Asia, where costs can be 30–70% lower.
Where to find affordable 2D environment artists for hire with professional experience?
Affordable yet skilled 2D environment artists can be found in outsourcing hubs like Eastern Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Studios in these regions often deliver high-quality work at lower rates compared to the US and Western Europe. Platforms like Upwork, ArtStation and direct partnerships with outsourcing studios are reliable options.
