Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,710
- 25th Percentile — Junior$99,280
- 50th Percentile — Median$130,540
- 75th Percentile — Senior$164,800
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$206,160
Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn more than $130,540. The top 10% make $206,160 or more, while entry-level workers start around $71,710.
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $134,360 per year (19.0% above the U.S. average of $112,870).
- 7,410 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in California — 37.1% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
- Location quotient 3.17: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $71,710; the top 10% earn over $206,160.
- Hourly equivalent: $64.6 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
- Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).
Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $134,360 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $134,360 is roughly equivalent to $94,620 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($141,450), New York ($110,760), Michigan ($103,090) are the closest alternatives for Special Effects Artists and Animators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $156,060/yr California +16.2% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $155,750/yr California +15.9% vs this role
- Editors $111,810/yr California 16.8% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $106,560/yr California 20.7% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $106,350/yr California 20.8% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $97,140/yr California 27.7% vs this role
- Interior Designers $89,740/yr California 33.2% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $86,800/yr California 35.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in California?
The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in California is $134,360 per year (median $130,540), which is 19.0% above the national average of $112,870.
How does California rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 31 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($141,450/yr).
How much do entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn about $71,710 per year and the 25th percentile is $99,280.
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make per hour in California?
About $64.6 per hour, based on the $134,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in California?
BLS counts 7,410 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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