Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Arizona (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Arizona, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arizona Median
$89,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#6 of 31
190 employed here

How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Arizona?

Special Effects Artists and Animators working in Arizona earn a median salary of $89,650 per year, or about $43.10 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $102,030 for this occupation.

Within Arizona, entry-level pay starts around $59,870 while the top 10% make $100,230 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,810 and $100,230 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Arizona

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,870$28.78
25th percentile (early career)$65,810$31.64
50th percentile (median)$89,650$43.10
75th percentile (experienced)$100,230$48.19
90th percentile (top earners)$100,230$48.19

How Arizona compares

Arizona ranks 6th out of 31 states and territories for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$133,480
2California$130,540
3Nevada$97,350
4New York$96,770
5Colorado$91,290

Working as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Arizona

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Arizona pay ($89,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Arizona?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Arizona is $89,650 per year, or about $43.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,870 at the entry level to $100,230 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arizona pay compare to the national average?
Arizona pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 12% less than the national median of $102,030. Arizona ranks 6th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arizona a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $89,650 a year. About 190 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Arizona. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arizona?
The highest-paying occupations in Arizona include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($558,970), Radiologist ($470,640), Surgeon, All Other ($415,980), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Effects Artists and Animators salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.