Illinois Median
$81,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#15 of 31
630 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Illinois?
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois take home a median of $81,180 annually — roughly $39.03 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $102,030.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $60,760 while the top 10% make $136,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,230 and $108,640 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,230 | $32.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,180 | $39.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $108,640 | $52.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,710 | $65.73 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 15th 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 $133,480California $130,540Nevada $97,350New York $96,770Colorado $91,290Arizona $89,650North Carolina $88,350Utah $88,210Michigan $86,630Florida $85,870Maryland $85,830Tennessee $83,080Virginia $81,510Georgia $81,390Massachusetts $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($81,180) 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 Illinois?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Illinois is $81,180 per year, or about $39.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,760 at the entry level to $136,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 20% less than the national median of $102,030. Illinois ranks 15th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,180 a year. About 630 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Illinois. 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 Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.