Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$78,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#18 of 31
state estimate

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

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Texas take home a median of $78,930 annually — roughly $37.95 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $102,030.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $56,020 while the top 10% make $150,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,460 and $121,960 a year.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,020$26.93
25th percentile (early career)$62,460$30.03
50th percentile (median)$78,930$37.95
75th percentile (experienced)$121,960$58.63
90th percentile (top earners)$150,000$72.12

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 18th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($78,930) 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 Texas?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Texas is $78,930 per year, or about $37.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,020 at the entry level to $150,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 23% less than the national median of $102,030. Texas ranks 18th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $78,930 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Effects Artists and Animators salary report

Related salaries

Fashion Designer

$80,960
median pay · 21,000 employed

Designer, All Other

$64,950
median pay · 9,000 employed

Interior Designer

$67,190
median pay · 72,000 employed

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

$71,240
median pay · 7,000 employed

Set and Exhibit Designers

$75,240
median pay · 11,000 employed

Music Directors and Composers

$73,710
median pay · 13,000 employed
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.