Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$86,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#9 of 31
230 employed here

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

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Michigan take home a median of $86,630 annually — roughly $41.65 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $102,030.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $54,260 while the top 10% make $194,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,590 and $121,830 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$54,260$26.09
25th percentile (early career)$68,590$32.98
50th percentile (median)$86,630$41.65
75th percentile (experienced)$121,830$58.57
90th percentile (top earners)$194,550$93.53

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 9th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($86,630) 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 Michigan?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Michigan is $86,630 per year, or about $41.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,260 at the entry level to $194,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 15% less than the national median of $102,030. Michigan ranks 9th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $86,630 a year. About 230 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.