Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $102,030 · Median hourly: $49.06 · Employment: 19,970
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| 25th | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| Median | $102,030 | $49.06 |
| 75th | $139,130 | $66.89 |
| 90th | $177,110 | $85.15 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-1014
- Total U.S. employment: 19,970
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
The mean wage of $112,870 sits 10.6% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | — | — | 110 |
| Arizona | $89,650 | $43.10 | -12.1% | 190 |
| California | $130,540 | $62.76 | +27.9% | 7,410 |
| Colorado | $91,290 | $43.89 | -10.5% | 210 |
| Florida | $85,870 | $41.29 | -15.8% | 1,530 |
| Georgia | $81,390 | $39.13 | -20.2% | 350 |
| Illinois | $81,180 | $39.03 | -20.4% | 630 |
| Indiana | $75,250 | $36.18 | -26.2% | 300 |
| Iowa | $47,530 | $22.85 | -53.4% | 0 |
| Kansas | $62,720 | $30.16 | -38.5% | 0 |
| Kentucky | $50,970 | $24.51 | -50.0% | 40 |
| Maryland | $85,830 | $41.27 | -15.9% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $80,640 | $38.77 | -21.0% | 0 |
| Michigan | $86,630 | $41.65 | -15.1% | 230 |
| Minnesota | $64,990 | $31.24 | -36.3% | 30 |
| Missouri | $65,470 | $31.48 | -35.8% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $50,830 | $24.44 | -50.2% | 90 |
| Nevada | $97,350 | $46.80 | -4.6% | 370 |
| New Jersey | — | — | — | 320 |
| New Mexico | $54,000 | $25.96 | -47.1% | 80 |
| New York | $96,770 | $46.52 | -5.2% | 1,540 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 | $42.48 | -13.4% | 370 |
| Ohio | $67,000 | $32.21 | -34.3% | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $66,980 | $32.20 | -34.4% | 0 |
| Oregon | — | — | — | 870 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,760 | $34.50 | -29.7% | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $80,040 | $38.48 | -21.6% | 0 |
| Tennessee | $83,080 | $39.94 | -18.6% | 90 |
| Texas | $78,930 | $37.95 | -22.6% | 0 |
| Utah | $88,210 | $42.41 | -13.5% | 320 |
| Virginia | $81,510 | $39.19 | -20.1% | 380 |
| Washington | $133,480 | $64.17 | +30.8% | 1,130 |
| West Virginia | $60,940 | $29.30 | -40.3% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $64,890 | $31.20 | -36.4% | 210 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for special effects artists and animators?
The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators is $102,030 ($49.06 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays special effects artists and animators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many special effects artists and animators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 19,970 special effects artists and animators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do special effects artists and animators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $49.06. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.