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Best States for Special Effects Artists and Animators: Highest-paid Special Effects Artists and Animators by State

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    Carter A
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Special effects artists and animators bring imagination to life through visual storytelling in films and video games.

This article will explore the best states for special effects artists and animators, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid special effects artists and animators are in California, where they earn an average of $134,820 per year.
  • The lowest-paid special effects artists and animators are in Montana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for special effects artists and animators is $69,783 per year.

1. California ($134,820)

California Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in California is $134,820, which is +93% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$134,820
10th Percentile$65,960
25th Percentile$94,990
75th Percentile$162,900
90th Percentile$204,100

2. New Jersey ($104,280)

New Jersey Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in New Jersey is $104,280, which is +49% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$104,280
10th Percentile$61,790
25th Percentile$80,000
75th Percentile$129,420
90th Percentile$150,990

3. New York ($100,240)

New York Special Effects Artists and Animators in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in New York is $100,240, which is +44% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$100,240
10th Percentile$43,680
25th Percentile$66,800
75th Percentile$126,530
90th Percentile$167,940

4. Connecticut ($99,660)

Connecticut Special Effects Artists and Animators in Connecticut earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Connecticut is $99,660, which is +43% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$99,660
10th Percentile$67,790
25th Percentile$79,180
75th Percentile$103,000
90th Percentile$144,510

5. Maryland ($94,790)

Maryland Special Effects Artists and Animators in Maryland earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Maryland is $94,790, which is +36% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$94,790
10th Percentile$59,320
25th Percentile$71,940
75th Percentile$119,610
90th Percentile$146,170

6. Washington ($92,960)

Washington Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Washington is $92,960, which is +33% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$92,960
10th Percentile$62,150
25th Percentile$72,320
75th Percentile$104,680
90th Percentile$128,430

7. Colorado ($92,220)

Colorado Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Colorado is $92,220, which is +32% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$92,220
10th Percentile$35,360
25th Percentile$57,580
75th Percentile$102,690
90th Percentile$183,430

8. Oregon ($90,320)

Oregon Special Effects Artists and Animators in Oregon earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Oregon is $90,320, which is +29% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$90,320
10th Percentile$43,060
25th Percentile$72,670
75th Percentile$108,070
90th Percentile$127,640

9. Nevada ($89,060)

Nevada Special Effects Artists and Animators in Nevada earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Nevada is $89,060, which is +28% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$89,060
10th Percentile$69,930
25th Percentile$78,870
75th Percentile$101,150
90th Percentile$109,410

10. Arkansas ($88,450)

Arkansas Special Effects Artists and Animators in Arkansas earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for special effects artists and animators in Arkansas is $88,450, which is +27% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$88,450
10th Percentile$33,140
25th Percentile$39,820
75th Percentile$117,500
90th Percentile$151,130

Conclusion

The highest-paid special effects artists and animators are in California, where they earn an average of $134,820 per year. The lowest-paid special effects artists and animators are in Montana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for special effects artists and animators is $69,783 per year and there are 33,268 jobs in the field.