West Virginia Median
$60,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-40% vs US median
US median $102,030
State Rank
#27 of 31
40 employed here
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in West Virginia?
Special Effects Artists and Animators in West Virginia take home a median of $60,940 annually — roughly $29.30 an hour — which runs 40% below the national median of $102,030.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $50,860 while the top 10% make $77,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,860 and $61,270 a year.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,860 | $24.45 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,860 | $24.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,940 | $29.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,270 | $29.46 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,740 | $37.38 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 27th 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 $75,250Pennsylvania $71,760Ohio $67,000Oklahoma $66,980Missouri $65,470Minnesota $64,990Wisconsin $64,890Kansas $62,720New Mexico $54,000Kentucky $50,970Nebraska $50,830Iowa $47,530
Working as Special Effects Artists and Animators in West 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 West Virginia pay ($60,940) 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 West Virginia?
The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in West Virginia is $60,940 per year, or about $29.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,860 at the entry level to $77,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Special Effects Artists and Animators about 40% less than the national median of $102,030. West Virginia ranks 27th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,940 a year. About 40 Special Effects Artists and Animators are employed in West 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.