How much does a special effects artist and animator make?
The median special effects artist and animator in the United States earns $102,030 per year, about $49.06 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all special effects artists and animators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1014.
Special effects artist and animator salary range
Pay for special effects artists and animators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $177,110. The average (mean) wage of $112,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 | |
| Median (50th) | $102,030 | $49.06 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $139,130 | $66.89 | |
| 90th percentile | $177,110 | $85.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for special effects artists and animators (SOC 27-1014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Special effects artist and animator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Special effects artists and animators earn the most in Washington at $133,480 a year, and the least in Iowa at $47,530. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $133,480 | 1,130 |
| California | $130,540 | 7,410 |
| Nevada | $97,350 | 370 |
| New York | $96,770 | 1,540 |
| Colorado | $91,290 | 210 |
| Arizona | $89,650 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 | 370 |
| Utah | $88,210 | 320 |
| Michigan | $86,630 | 230 |
| Florida | $85,870 | 1,530 |
| Maryland | $85,830 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $83,080 | 90 |
| Virginia | $81,510 | 380 |
| Georgia | $81,390 | 350 |
| Illinois | $81,180 | 630 |
| Massachusetts | $80,640 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $80,040 | N/A |
| Texas | $78,930 | N/A |
| Indiana | $75,250 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,760 | 300 |
| Ohio | $67,000 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $66,980 | N/A |
| Missouri | $65,470 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $64,990 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $64,890 | 210 |
| Kansas | $62,720 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $60,940 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $54,000 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $50,970 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $50,830 | 90 |
| Iowa | $47,530 | N/A |
State median wages for special effects artists and animators (SOC 27-1014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for special effects artists and animators
The BLS projects employment of special effects artists and animators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 51,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year for special effects artists and animators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a special effects artist and animator
The typical entry-level education for special effects artists and animators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a special effects artist and animator earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $133,480) and the lowest (Iowa, $47,530) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,970 people work as special effects artists and animators in the United States. At $102,030 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Special effects artist and animator salary FAQ
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a special effects artist and animator is $49.06. The middle half of special effects artists and animators earn between $36.29 and $66.89 per hour.
What is the highest special effects artist and animator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of special effects artists and animators earn more than $177,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a special effects artist and animator make a year?
The median annual salary for a special effects artist and animator is $102,030. The average (mean) wage of $112,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a special effects artist and animator a well paid job?
At $102,030 a year, a special effects artist and animator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,970 people work as special effects artists and animators in the United States.
Which state pays special effects artists and animators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for special effects artists and animators at $133,480 a year. California ($130,540) and Nevada ($97,350) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a special effects artist and animator a good career?
Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a special effects artist and animator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for special effects artists and animators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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