Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$80,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#17 of 31
state estimate

How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Rhode Island?

Special Effects Artists and Animators working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $80,040 per year, or about $38.48 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $102,030 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $45,810 while the top 10% make $99,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,640 and $84,510 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,810$22.02
25th percentile (early career)$48,640$23.38
50th percentile (median)$80,040$38.48
75th percentile (experienced)$84,510$40.63
90th percentile (top earners)$99,060$47.63

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 17th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($80,040) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Rhode Island is $80,040 per year, or about $38.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,810 at the entry level to $99,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 22% less than the national median of $102,030. Rhode Island ranks 17th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,040 a year. 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 Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.