How Much Does 3D Modeling Cost? Rates and Budget Management Tips in 2025

In 2025, 3D modeling has become crucial across various industries: video games and animation in particular use 3D modeling to create rich and immersive visuals. What about the pricing and 3D modeling rates, considering the ever-growing demand for it?

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Let’s talk about 3D modeling price per hour, what affects the final cost and how to choose the best 3D modeling studio for your needs.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire A 3D Modeler? 

First off, let’s see how 3d modeling price works and how much time it can take.

Hourly Rates

The hourly 3D modeling rates can be significantly different depending on their experience, location and the complexity of modeling work. Let’s take a closer look at it.

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When it comes to freelancing platforms, a typical 3D modeling price per hour ranges from about $17 to $30 per hour, with a median rate around $25/hr. More broadly, freelance 3D artists can charge anywhere from as low as $5/hr to as high as $500/hr, depending on their expertise and market demand.

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Speaking of level of experience, entry-level 3D artists often charge between $15 and $30/hr, intermediates $30 to $50/hr, and experts will cost you $50 to $100+/hr.

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For your convenience, we made the list of general 3D modeling costs per hour for a model + textures, based on open sources. Keep in mind that these rates can be slightly different, based on the modeler’s expertise, experience and other factors. 

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Time Required

Time is as crucial as money and can vary a lot, too. Low-poly, basic assets will take several hours, while realistic objects or characters will take more than 40 hours. And if you’re planning to animate it, keep in mind that rigging and other additional tweaks will also lead to additional time consumption. 

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Here’s a comparison table for required time that you can use to estimate the amount of time for a similar 3D you need.

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Our 3D Modeling Pricing

At RocketBrush Studio, we provide 3D modeling services on an hourly basis. Depending on the complexity of a 3D model, production pipeline and the required skillset, our 3D modeling cost per hour is from 30 to 60 dollars, depending on complexity, additional skillset required and other aspects we can discuss in detial. 

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We always try to optimize the production pipeline, be flexible with your budget and consider your project’s unique aspects. Our focus is on a regular partnership and great output on our side and your satisfaction with the final results. 

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One of our most notable skills is the ability to adapt to any kind of style your project needs. In addition, we do not use any hidden costs or payments for each artist involved, and the hourly price includes all project work. We also take the responsibility of managing the size of the team working on modeling, depending on your needs in terms of production speed. 

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Be sure to discuss everything in detail. Reach us at hello@rocketbrush.com and we will see what we can help you with! 

How To Optimize 3D Modeling Costs

Let’s take a look at some factors that influence the final rates of 3D modeling services, along with some recommendations that can help you manage it more effectively for your budget. 

What Affects 3D Modeling Cost?

When it comes to the final cost, there are several factors that may affect it. Here’s a quick list of the most common reasons a 3D modeling price may seem high.

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• Complexity: High polycounts, in addition to detailed modeling, will obviously increase the rate, along with the amount of time. But also don’t forget that the realistic style is always going to be heavy on budget since it’s based on immersive and thought-out models.
• Details: Common, basic 3D props may be relatively cheap in comparison to full-modeled main characters, which require much more dedication and effort. Additional details and subtle effects that increase the immersion and overall fidelity will also require more labor and effort from modelers, which will influence the budget on your end.
• Urgency: If 3D models are required as soon as possible due to deadlines or other unexpected things, it will also increase the final cost, since 3D artists need to focus on a particular task and do it in time. 
• Modeler’s expertise: More experienced professionals are in high demand and will charge you higher rates. Luckily, you can be absolutely sure that the final result will match all your potential goals and can overcome possible obstacles. 
• Tools required: There are several professional tools and subscriptions that may require additional expenses. Luckily, some 3D artists, especially the ones working with outsourcing studios, already have all the equipment required and do not take licensing fees and purchases into the total sum.

Tips For Cost of 3D Model Management

1. Optimize revisions: Revisions tend to expand budgets, so a simple, detailed explanation may allow you to avoid revisions, cut costs and get satisfying results.
2. Choose the right type of contractor: There are different types of contractors available for hire. Freelancers work well for short, quick projects. Studios provide more artists who can work quickly and effectively for long-term projects that require additional changes, iterations, polishing and so on. And of course, do not forget about the regional differences in pricing we mentioned above.
3. Consider reusing assets: If some of the background assets your project needs can be reused in later game sections, it will be great for budget – think of designing them with the intention to reuse the, especially if it’s a building wall, a piece of environments or a prop that’s going to be neglected by most of the players or viewers. In some cases, you can even use asset libraries.
4. Simplify some assets, focus on key ones: This is a principle similar to the previous one: some objects are more important than others, so keep that in mind as you design a narrative scene. Perhaps, some important characters’ models require more high-quality work, while others, side story characters, may use a more straightforward and rational approach. And later, if budget allows, you can expand and add polish to less significant assets. 
5. Plan things thoroughly: It’s pretty obvious, but if you can establish a properly working pipeline from the very beginning, it will help you to avoid unexpected expenses, additional rework and other things that may affect the budget. 
6. Agree on fixed rates: This will lock in the cost for services and stages of asset creation and allow you to not overspend your budget, protecting you from additional expenses.

How To Choose The Best 3D Modeling Outsourcing Service

Nowadays, there are lots of outsourcing companies on the market – outsourcing studios in general are very common for the game and animation industry, considering the amount of hard work required to make something worthwhile. How can you choose the one that will have a successful, prosperous partnership and provide you with everything your project requires?

1. Check their portfolio

3D modeling outsourcing studios usually have a portfolio to demonstrate their strengths in particular styles and genres to potential clients. You can take a quick look at the game art company's portfolio and learn how well they can handle your project by comparing their previous work. Do they excel at a genre that you’re working in? Can they create stylized 3D models that match your visual direction? Do they have the experience of working in the same scope as you do? These questions can generally be answered by looking at featured projects in any portfolio.

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2. Read their clients’ testimonials

Looking at a game art outsourcing studio’s website, their previous collaborations can give you an idea of what to expect from upcoming ones you’re planning. They usually have a testimonials page where you can read positive feedback on different aspects of working with a particular studio. It’s written by previous clients from big projects, so you can check them for compatibility and see if you’re pursuing the same goal. If you do, chances are this collaboration is going to be great.

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Here’s what Philipp Glietsch, Art Producer of Paradox Interactive, has to say about our collaboration:

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We have been working with RocketBrush Studio on two projects, and are happy with the quality of their work so far. Our projects required both careful attention to details and strict adherence to the requirements outlined in the art guide. The studio has completed the work within the agreed deadlines and provided us with the deliverables fully corresponding with the guidelines. Overall, RocketBrush studio has a professional team of artists, qualified project managers and insightful art direction that ensure the highest quality of the created art and full compliance with our key requirements.

3. Discuss the company’s workflow and your potential collaboration

Clear and quick communication can lead to a great partnership: you can get acquainted with potential contributors, learn more about their workflow and see how they can handle your project. And of course, be sure to let the company know about your project as much as possible: what goals you’re aiming to achieve, what inspires you and what you consider a great example of 3D modeling work, ask for feedback and estimation.

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At RocketBrush Studio, our 3D modeling workflow is established to achieve efficiency and high-quality results:

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• We handle the overall 3D modeling production:  from initial concept sketches and prototyping to fully rendered, game-ready models. When we start our collaboration with our clients, we discuss your expectations, project goals, deadlines, update frequency and additional technical requirements.
• We also provide a dedicated project manager: They ensure smooth communication during the process via any communication channel you like. We understand that keeping you in the loop with regular updates and a clear view of our progress is key.
• Our internal expertise conducts a detailed quality review: We do it before showing our work to you to make sure the final output you see meets the high, always growing, industry standards.

Conclusion

How much does it cost to hire a 3D modeler? We hope this blog post helped you to find out!

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Effort and attention to detail – perhaps, the most important factors that affect the final cost. Keep this in mind and if you’re planning a project that may require potential 3D modeling services, be sure to collaborate with outsourcing studios that specialize exactly in providing quick, high-quality output. 

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And of course, don’t forget that a complex, high-quality 3D asset or model will take approximately 40+ working hours, plus feedback implementation, different iterations, working with distinct styles that require a unique approach and so on. 

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RocketBrush Studio’s 3D artists will create all types of 3D models: objects and props, a character design, an environmental design or a 3D paintover for a background. Be sure to take a look at our portfolio, read our testimonials and reach out to us. 

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We can’t wait to start working together on reaching your goals!

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