Virginia Median
$81,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.19
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#13 of 31
380 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Virginia?
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia take home a median of $81,510 annually — roughly $39.19 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $102,030.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $47,140 while the top 10% make $138,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,920 and $110,180 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,140 | $22.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,920 | $32.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,510 | $39.19 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $110,180 | $52.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,210 | $66.45 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 13th 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 $83,080Georgia $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($81,510) 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 Virginia?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Virginia is $81,510 per year, or about $39.19 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,140 at the entry level to $138,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 20% less than the national median of $102,030. Virginia ranks 13th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,510 a year. About 380 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Special Effects Artists and Animators salary report
Related salaries
$80,960
median pay · 21,000 employed
$64,950
median pay · 9,000 employed
$67,190
median pay · 72,000 employed
$71,240
median pay · 7,000 employed
$75,240
median pay · 11,000 employed
$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.