I'd love to help, but so far, in each project I've been a part of, a custom engine has been used, with a custom exporter, so I'm unfamiliar with the quake engine or whatever and how it's done for it.

As said, the quality of your portfolio and a good attitude is the main thing that is needed. In order to get that quality, some people need to be taught. Others can do it themselves.

The money earned is very subjective and varies based on the company and the location.

Gamasutra.com has a yearly game industry salary survey that might help - https://www.gamasutra.com/features/20...olsen_01.shtml

Survey says that for an artist with less than 2 years experience, the average yearly income (in the US) is approx. $40k. It doesn't say much regarding those first entering the industry with little to no experience, however, but from my own experience, $25-30k is more likely for such folks.