Pennsylvania Median
$71,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#20 of 31
300 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Pennsylvania?
Special Effects Artists and Animators working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $71,760 per year, or about $34.50 per hour. That is 30% below the national median of $102,030 for this occupation.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $49,680 while the top 10% make $103,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,490 and $93,410 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,680 | $23.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,490 | $27.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $71,760 | $34.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $93,410 | $44.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,940 | $49.97 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 20th 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 $75,250Ohio $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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($71,760) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Pennsylvania is $71,760 per year, or about $34.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,680 at the entry level to $103,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 30% less than the national median of $102,030. Pennsylvania ranks 20th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $71,760 a year. About 300 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.