Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Missouri (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$65,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-36% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#23 of 31
80 employed here

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

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Missouri take home a median of $65,470 annually — roughly $31.48 an hour — which runs 36% below the national median of $102,030.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $48,020 while the top 10% make $103,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,160 and $77,570 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,020$23.09
25th percentile (early career)$59,160$28.44
50th percentile (median)$65,470$31.48
75th percentile (experienced)$77,570$37.29
90th percentile (top earners)$103,740$49.88

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 23rd 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($65,470) 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 Missouri?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Missouri is $65,470 per year, or about $31.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,020 at the entry level to $103,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 36% less than the national median of $102,030. Missouri ranks 23rd out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,470 a year. About 80 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.