Top 15 cities for special effects artists and animators by average salary
| San Jose, CA | $161,540 |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $145,960 |
| Seattle, WA | $143,790 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $130,260 |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,760 |
| San Diego, CA | $117,610 |
| New York, NY | $109,310 |
| Reno, NV | $106,380 |
| Riverside, CA | $105,560 |
| Austin, TX | $101,170 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $100,620 |
| Durham, NC | $99,130 |
| Washington, DC | $97,630 |
| Dallas, TX | $97,490 |
| Denver, CO | $95,660 |
Map: Special Effects Artists and Animators salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary by state
Washington pays special effects artists and animators the most statewide, $141,450 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $141,450 | $133,480 | 1,130 | 1 | $143,790 | $143,790 |
| California | $134,360 | $130,540 | 7,410 | 6 | $161,540 | $105,560 |
| New York | $110,760 | $96,770 | 1,540 | 1 | $109,310 | $109,310 |
| Michigan | $103,090 | $86,630 | 230 | 1 | $83,770 | $83,770 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $97,630 | $97,630 |
| Nevada | $97,610 | $97,350 | 370 | 2 | $106,380 | $94,300 |
| Texas | $94,660 | $78,930 | n/a | 3 | $101,170 | $81,970 |
| Florida | $93,850 | $85,870 | 1,530 | 3 | $93,820 | $81,710 |
| Colorado | $93,080 | $91,290 | 210 | 1 | $95,660 | $95,660 |
| Illinois | $92,680 | $81,180 | 630 | 1 | $93,820 | $93,820 |
| Ohio | $92,130 | $67,000 | 200 | 1 | $65,350 | $65,350 |
| Tennessee | $91,320 | $83,080 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $91,180 | $88,210 | 320 | 1 | $100,620 | $100,620 |
| Virginia | $89,750 | $81,510 | 380 | 2 | $82,000 | $74,610 |
| Alabama | n/a | n/a | 110 | 1 | $87,790 | $87,790 |
| North Carolina | $86,020 | $88,350 | 370 | 3 | $99,130 | $82,060 |
| Arizona | $84,890 | $89,650 | 190 | 1 | $87,360 | $87,360 |
| Massachusetts | $84,280 | $80,640 | n/a | 2 | $86,260 | $83,580 |
| Maryland | $83,310 | $85,830 | 170 | 1 | $87,660 | $87,660 |
| Wisconsin | $81,240 | $64,890 | 210 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $77,830 | $81,390 | 350 | 1 | $76,910 | $76,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,780 | $71,760 | 300 | 2 | $82,110 | $74,000 |
| Missouri | $74,600 | $65,470 | 80 | 2 | $78,940 | $73,620 |
| Rhode Island | $74,170 | $80,040 | n/a | 1 | $72,280 | $72,280 |
| Indiana | $73,530 | $75,250 | 300 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $70,870 | $62,720 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $68,440 | $64,990 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $66,380 | $66,980 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $61,400 | $54,000 | 80 | 1 | $60,670 | $60,670 |
| Kentucky | $61,110 | $50,970 | 40 | 1 | $55,380 | $55,380 |
| Iowa | $59,740 | $47,530 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $59,180 | $60,940 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $56,270 | $50,830 | 90 | 1 | $56,510 | $56,510 |
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $161,540 | $156,950 | $77.66 | 510 |
| San Francisco, CA | $145,960 | $136,770 | $70.17 | 1,440 |
| Seattle, WA | $143,790 | $134,120 | $69.13 | 1,030 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $130,260 | $124,590 | $62.62 | 4,650 |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,760 | $122,880 | $58.06 | 70 |
| San Diego, CA | $117,610 | $118,750 | $56.54 | 100 |
| New York, NY | $109,310 | $96,760 | $52.55 | 1,560 |
| Reno, NV | $106,380 | $105,240 | $51.15 | 90 |
| Riverside, CA | $105,560 | $95,420 | $50.75 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | $101,170 | $82,570 | $48.64 | n/a |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $100,620 | $101,730 | $48.38 | 170 |
| Durham, NC | $99,130 | $109,320 | $47.66 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $97,630 | $92,760 | $46.94 | 290 |
| Dallas, TX | $97,490 | $79,390 | $46.87 | n/a |
| Denver, CO | $95,660 | $91,290 | $45.99 | 140 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $94,300 | $87,300 | $45.34 | 260 |
| Chicago, IL | $93,820 | $83,200 | $45.11 | 550 |
| Orlando, FL | $93,820 | $91,150 | $45.11 | 960 |
| Charlotte, NC | $93,400 | $92,340 | $44.90 | n/a |
| Huntsville, AL | $87,790 | $77,640 | $42.21 | 40 |
| Baltimore, MD | $87,660 | $90,050 | $42.15 | 90 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $87,360 | $96,670 | $42.00 | 150 |
| Worcester, MA | $86,260 | $76,970 | $41.47 | n/a |
| Miami, FL | $85,850 | $74,520 | $41.28 | 180 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $83,770 | $83,530 | $40.27 | 50 |
| Boston, MA | $83,580 | $80,640 | $40.18 | n/a |
| Philadelphia, PA | $82,110 | $76,770 | $39.48 | 100 |
| Raleigh, NC | $82,060 | $79,360 | $39.45 | 100 |
| Richmond, VA | $82,000 | $76,380 | $39.43 | 30 |
| Houston, TX | $81,970 | $77,690 | $39.41 | n/a |
| Tampa, FL | $81,710 | $74,140 | $39.28 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,940 | $75,820 | $37.95 | 50 |
| Atlanta, GA | $76,910 | $76,110 | $36.98 | 290 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $74,610 | $78,430 | $35.87 | n/a |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,000 | $69,300 | $35.58 | n/a |
| Kansas City, MO | $73,620 | $69,820 | $35.39 | n/a |
| Providence, RI | $72,280 | $80,040 | $34.75 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH | $65,350 | $67,710 | $31.42 | 30 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $60,670 | $54,000 | $29.17 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE | $56,510 | $53,280 | $27.17 | 40 |
| Louisville, KY | $55,380 | $50,960 | $26.63 | 30 |
Related jobs
- Graphic DesignersU.S. average $70,560
- Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersU.S. average $42,830
- Art DirectorsU.S. average $129,440
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsU.S. average $73,150
- Commercial and Industrial DesignersU.S. average $93,260
- Floral DesignersU.S. average $39,520
- Interior DesignersU.S. average $74,540
- Set and Exhibit DesignersU.S. average $83,160
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: questions
Where do special effects artists and animators make the most money?
In San Jose, CA, with an average of $161,540 a year, among the 41 metro areas we cover.
What is the average special effects artists and animators salary in the U.S.?
$112,870 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $102,030, so half of special effects artists and animators earn more than that and half less.
What salary should special effects artists and animators ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of special effects artists and animators nationwide earn between $75,490 (25th percentile) and $139,130 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays special effects artists and animators the most?
Washington, with a statewide average of $141,450 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is special effects artists and animators pay the lowest?
Louisville, KY, at $55,380 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1014.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.