North Carolina Median
$88,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#7 of 31
370 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in North Carolina?
Special Effects Artists and Animators working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $88,350 per year, or about $42.48 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $102,030 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $53,790 while the top 10% make $120,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,530 and $105,260 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,530 | $30.06 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,350 | $42.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $105,260 | $50.61 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,150 | $57.76 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 7th 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 $89,650Utah $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 $60,940New Mexico $54,000Kentucky $50,970Nebraska $50,830Iowa $47,530
Working as Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($88,350) 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 North Carolina?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in North Carolina is $88,350 per year, or about $42.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,790 at the entry level to $120,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 13% less than the national median of $102,030. North Carolina ranks 7th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $88,350 a year. About 370 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.