Average Salary for Special Effects Artists and Animators
SOC 27-1014 · Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in the United States is $99,800 ($47.98/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $57,220 at the 10th percentile to $174,630 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 21,280 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 56.8% since 2014.
Median Annual
$99,800
Mean Annual
$110,110
10th Pct
$57,220
75th Pct
$135,600
Employment
21,280
Salary Distribution
$57k
10th
$73k
25th
$100k
Median
$136k
75th
$175k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $158,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $142,690 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $120,320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $111,470 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $108,630 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $108,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $103,940 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $100,630 |
| Reno, NV | $100,060 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,130 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $92,720 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,740 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $86,580 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| California | $128,360 |
| New Jersey | $124,300 |
| Oregon | $108,630 |
| New York | $102,170 |
| Colorado | $95,130 |
| Texas | $88,620 |
| Nevada | $86,290 |
| Ohio | $83,530 |
| Kansas | $83,210 |
| Maryland | $81,700 |
| Tennessee | $81,660 |
| Michigan | $80,780 |
| Virginia | $79,100 |
| Georgia | $79,040 |
| Louisiana | $76,720 |
| Massachusetts | $76,500 |
| Rhode Island | $76,170 |
| Illinois | $74,850 |
| Florida | $73,820 |
| Missouri | $72,320 |
| Arizona | $67,510 |
| Alabama | $66,060 |
| North Carolina | $65,000 |
| Utah | $62,820 |
| Oklahoma | $62,370 |
| Minnesota | $61,790 |
| Iowa | $60,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,390 |
| Indiana | $56,260 |
| Wisconsin | $55,970 |
| West Virginia | $53,440 |
| Nebraska | $52,660 |
| New Mexico | $50,250 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $143,490 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $143,490 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $135,450 |
| Software Publishers | $130,450 |
| Publishing Industries | $127,800 |
| Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | $119,400 |
| Broadcasting and Content Providers | $119,400 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $119,270 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $115,510 |
| Information | $112,650 |
| Temporary Help Services | $105,880 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $101,140 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $100,950 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $100,630 |
| Employment Services | $99,840 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $99,000 |
| Specialized Design Services | $98,880 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $97,940 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries | $97,930 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $97,710 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $95,700 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $95,700 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $95,390 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $95,390 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $92,890 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $90,520 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $86,930 |
| Engineering Services | $86,690 |
| Television Broadcasting Stations | $86,100 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations | $86,100 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $86,070 |
| Manufacturing | $85,170 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $85,170 |
| Wholesale Trade | $85,030 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $83,940 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $80,370 |
| Photographic Services | $80,040 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $80,040 |
| Sound Recording Industries | $78,540 |
| Finance and Insurance | $78,080 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $77,640 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $77,130 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $76,790 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $76,170 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $75,780 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $75,780 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $75,670 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $75,670 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $75,670 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $75,370 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $75,300 |
| Other Support Services | $75,150 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $73,260 |
| Performing Arts Companies | $73,160 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $72,760 |
| Educational Services | $70,580 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $67,620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $64,620 |
| Educational Support Services | $64,400 |
| Educational Services | $64,340 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $62,980 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | $62,850 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $62,030 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $62,030 |
| Retail Trade | $61,790 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $56,530 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $48,370 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $42,430 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $36,420 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $99,800 |
| 2023 | $99,060 |
| 2022 | $98,950 |
| 2021 | $78,790 |
| 2020 | $77,700 |
| 2019 | $75,270 |
| 2018 | $72,520 |
| 2017 | $70,530 |
| 2016 | $65,300 |
| 2015 | $63,970 |
| 2014 | $63,630 |