Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Maryland (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$85,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#11 of 31
170 employed here

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

Special Effects Artists and Animators working in Maryland earn a median salary of $85,830 per year, or about $41.26 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $102,030 for this occupation.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $52,710 while the top 10% make $110,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,520 and $96,640 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,710$25.34
25th percentile (early career)$57,520$27.65
50th percentile (median)$85,830$41.26
75th percentile (experienced)$96,640$46.46
90th percentile (top earners)$110,750$53.25

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 11th 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 Maryland

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 Maryland pay ($85,830) 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 Maryland?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Maryland is $85,830 per year, or about $41.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,710 at the entry level to $110,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 16% less than the national median of $102,030. Maryland ranks 11th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $85,830 a year. About 170 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Maryland. 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 Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), 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.