Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in Durham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,820 a year or less, while the top 10% make $124,660 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in Durham earn between $91,220 and $109,320.
- $58K10th
- $91K25th
- $109KMedian
- $109K75th
- $125K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $99,130 | $8,261 | $47.66 |
| Median | $109,320 | $9,110 | $52.56 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $91,220 | $7,602 | $43.86 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $109,320 | $9,110 | $52.56 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in Durham earn 15% more than the North Carolina average ($86,020) and 12% less than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $99,130 | $109,320 | $57,820 | $124,660 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $86,020 | $88,350 | $53,790 | $120,150 | 370 |
| United States | $112,870 | $102,030 | $58,600 | $177,110 | 19,970 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary after taxes in Durham
On the average salary of $99,130, a single filer in Durham takes home about $75,121 a year, or $6,260 a month and $2,889 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Durham a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $99,130 buys what about $101,597 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other North Carolina cities
Durham ranks 1st of 3 North Carolina metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
All Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries in North Carolina
Highest-paying cities for special effects artists and animators
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($161,540).
- San Jose, CA$161,540
- San Francisco, CA$145,960
- Seattle, WA$143,790
- Los Angeles, CA$130,260
- Sacramento, CA$120,760
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Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Durham: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in Durham?
$47.66 an hour on average, and $52.56 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,820 a year and the 25th percentile is $91,220, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in Durham?
About $75,121 a year ($6,260 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $99,130.
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in Durham than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% less than the U.S. average for this job ($112,870).
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; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.4%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
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