How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make?
The median pay for Special Effects Artists and Animators in the United States is $102,030 per year — about $49.05 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $58,600, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $177,110.
That is $40,640 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary range by percentile
Half of all Special Effects Artists and Animators earn between $75,490 and $139,130 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,600 | $28.17 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,490 | $36.29 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $102,030 | $49.05 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $139,130 | $66.89 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,110 | $85.15 |
Highest-paying states for Special Effects Artists and Animators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay at $133,480 a year, followed by California ($130,540) and Nevada ($97,350). At the other end, Iowa posts the lowest median at $47,530 — a gap of $85,950 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $133,480 | $64.17 | +31% |
| 2 | California | $130,540 | $62.76 | +28% |
| 3 | Nevada | $97,350 | $46.80 | -5% |
| 4 | New York | $96,770 | $46.52 | -5% |
| 5 | Colorado | $91,290 | $43.89 | -11% |
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 31 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 20,000 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $112,870 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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