New Mexico Median
$54,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-47% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#28 of 31
80 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in New Mexico?
Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Mexico take home a median of $54,000 annually — roughly $25.96 an hour — which runs 47% below the national median of $102,030.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $52,070 while the top 10% make $82,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,790 and $54,010 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,070 | $25.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $52,790 | $25.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,000 | $25.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $54,010 | $25.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,180 | $39.51 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 28th 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 $81,390Illinois $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 $60,940Kentucky $50,970Nebraska $50,830Iowa $47,530
Working as Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Mexico
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 New Mexico pay ($54,000) 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 New Mexico?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in New Mexico is $54,000 per year, or about $25.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,070 at the entry level to $82,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 47% less than the national median of $102,030. New Mexico ranks 28th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,000 a year. About 80 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.