Special Effects Artist and Animator Salary
Special Effects Artists and Animators earn a median $102,030 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What special effects artists and animators do
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,200
- Self-employed
- 63%
Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Special Effects Artist and Animator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,617
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,326
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,479
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$80,608
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,600 | $28.17 | $49,265 |
| 25th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 | $61,937 |
| Median (50th) | $102,030 | $49.05 | $80,608 |
| 75th percentile | $139,130 | $66.89 | $106,361 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,110 | $85.15 | $132,321 |
Best cities for special effects artists and animators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $124,590 | $87,446 | $77,000 | 4,650 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $124,590
Special Effects Artist and Animator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $133,480 | — | $102,500 | $65,270 – $209,400 | 1,130 |
| California | $130,540 | +1.7% | $90,882 | $71,710 – $206,160 | 7,410 |
| Nevada | $97,350 | +12.8% | $77,316 | $72,720 – $129,470 | 370 |
| New York | $96,770 | −5.3% | $72,239 | $60,190 – $176,190 | 1,540 |
| Colorado | $91,290 | −4.0% | $69,744 | $57,350 – $124,990 | 210 |
| Arizona | $89,650 | +32.8% | $69,866 | $59,870 – $100,230 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 | +35.9% | $67,968 | $53,790 – $120,150 | 370 |
| Utah | $88,210 | +40.4% | $67,882 | $29,990 – $152,720 | 320 |
| Michigan | $86,630 | +7.2% | $66,343 | $54,260 – $194,550 | 230 |
| Florida | $85,870 | +16.3% | $69,240 | $71,140 – $114,920 | 1,530 |
| Maryland | $85,830 | +5.1% | $65,498 | $52,710 – $110,750 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $83,080 | +1.7% | $67,277 | $60,320 – $170,300 | 90 |
| Virginia | $81,510 | +3.0% | $62,300 | $47,140 – $138,210 | 380 |
| Georgia | $81,390 | +3.0% | $62,487 | $40,000 – $106,120 | 350 |
| Illinois | $81,180 | +8.5% | $62,067 | $60,760 – $136,710 | 630 |
| Massachusetts | $80,640 | +5.4% | $61,748 | $57,900 – $109,820 | — |
| Rhode Island | $80,040 | +5.1% | $62,754 | $45,810 – $99,060 | — |
| Texas | $78,930 | −10.9% | $64,357 | $56,020 – $150,000 | — |
| Indiana | $75,250 | +33.8% | $59,578 | $50,920 – $93,090 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,760 | +18.8% | $57,110 | $49,680 – $103,940 | 300 |
| Ohio | $67,000 | −19.8% | $54,904 | $45,310 – $166,260 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $66,980 | +7.4% | $53,482 | $50,820 – $77,860 | — |
| Missouri | $65,470 | −9.5% | $52,645 | $48,020 – $103,740 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $64,990 | +5.2% | $51,504 | $62,070 – $77,990 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $64,890 | +15.9% | $52,245 | $53,270 – $154,340 | 210 |
| Kansas | $62,720 | −24.6% | $49,875 | $56,470 – $102,530 | — |
| West Virginia | $60,940 | +14.0% | $49,139 | $50,860 – $77,740 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $54,000 | +7.5% | $44,197 | $52,070 – $82,180 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $50,970 | — | $41,468 | $44,700 – $89,930 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $50,830 | −3.5% | $41,589 | $43,340 – $80,520 | 90 |
| Iowa | $47,530 | −22.0% | $39,216 | $39,300 – $104,000 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Director | $114,850 | Bachelor's degree | +4.2% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $83,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.4% |
| Fashion Designer | $80,960 | Bachelor's degree | +0.1% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make?
The national median salary for special effects artists and animators is $102,030 a year ($49.05 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,600 and the top 10% earn over $177,110. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays special effects artists and animators the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $133,480. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many special effects artists and animators are there in the U.S.?
About 19,970 people work as special effects artists and animators nationwide.