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Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary

BLS May 2025 median wages — with computed take-home after taxes for all 31 reporting states. Tax year 2026.

Quick answer

According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data, the median special effects artists and animators in the US earns $102,030 per year (19,970 employed). Gross pay is highest in Washington ($133,480) and lowest in Iowa ($47,530) — but what you keep depends on the state's taxes; see the table.

Special Effects Artists and Animators pay by stategross median vs take-home
StateMedian wageAfter taxesMonthly netKeptEmployed
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington $133,480 $102,500 $8,542 76.8% 1,130
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California $130,540 $92,580 $7,715 70.9% 7,410
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Nevada $97,350 $77,316 $6,443 79.4% 370
Special Effects Artists and Animators in New York $96,770 $72,239 $6,020 74.6% 1,540
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado $91,290 $69,744 $5,812 76.4% 210
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Arizona $89,650 $69,866 $5,822 77.9% 190
Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina $88,350 $67,968 $5,664 76.9% 370
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Utah $88,210 $66,916 $5,576 75.9% 320
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Michigan $86,630 $66,343 $5,529 76.6% 230
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Florida $85,870 $69,240 $5,770 80.6% 1,530
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Maryland $85,830 $65,498 $5,458 76.3% 170
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee $83,080 $67,277 $5,606 81% 90
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia $81,510 $62,300 $5,192 76.4% 380
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Georgia $81,390 $62,487 $5,207 76.8% 350
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois $81,180 $62,067 $5,172 76.5% 630
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Massachusetts $80,640 $61,748 $5,146 76.6% —
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Rhode Island $80,040 $62,754 $5,229 78.4% —
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Texas $78,930 $64,357 $5,363 81.5% —
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Indiana $75,250 $59,578 $4,965 79.2% 300
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania $71,760 $57,110 $4,759 79.6% 300
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Ohio $67,000 $54,905 $4,575 81.9% 200
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Oklahoma $66,980 $53,482 $4,457 79.8% —
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Missouri $65,470 $52,645 $4,387 80.4% 80
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Minnesota $64,990 $51,504 $4,292 79.2% 30
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Wisconsin $64,890 $52,245 $4,354 80.5% 210
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Kansas $62,720 $49,875 $4,156 79.5% —
Special Effects Artists and Animators in West Virginia $60,940 $49,139 $4,095 80.6% 40
Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Mexico $54,000 $44,197 $3,683 81.8% 80
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Kentucky $50,970 $41,468 $3,456 81.4% 40
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Nebraska $50,830 $41,589 $3,466 81.8% 90
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa $47,530 $39,216 $3,268 82.5% —
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