California Median
$130,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#2 of 31
7,410 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in California?
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California take home a median of $130,540 annually — roughly $62.76 an hour — which runs 28% above the national median of $102,030.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $71,710 while the top 10% make $206,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,280 and $164,800 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,710 | $34.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $99,280 | $47.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,540 | $62.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $164,800 | $79.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,160 | $99.12 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 31 states and territories for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other states
Washington $133,480Nevada $97,350New York $96,770Colorado $91,290Arizona $89,650North Carolina $88,350Utah $88,210Michigan $86,630Florida $85,870Maryland $85,830Tennessee $83,080Virginia $81,510Georgia $81,390Illinois $81,180Massachusetts $80,640Rhode Island $80,040Texas $78,930Indiana $75,250Pennsylvania $71,760Ohio $67,000Oklahoma $66,980Missouri $65,470Minnesota $64,990Wisconsin $64,890Kansas $62,720West Virginia $60,940New Mexico $54,000Kentucky $50,970Nebraska $50,830Iowa $47,530
Working as Special Effects Artists and Animators in California
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 California pay ($130,540) 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 California?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in California is $130,540 per year, or about $62.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,710 at the entry level to $206,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 28% more than the national median of $102,030. California ranks 2nd out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,540 a year. About 7,410 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.