BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado

$93,080 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$44.75 per hour

▼ 17.5% below U.S. average8th of 31 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$93,080per year
Median$91,290per year
Hourly$44.75per hour
10th – 90th percentile$57,350 – $124,990per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Colorado

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,350
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$77,570
  • 50th Percentile — Median$91,290
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$105,120
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$124,990

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado earn more than $91,290. The top 10% make $124,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,350.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Colorado ranks 8th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $93,080 per year (17.5% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • 210 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado — 1.1% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.56: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,350; the top 10% earn over $124,990.
  • Hourly equivalent: $44.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
  • Among creative jobs in Colorado, Art Directors pays the most ($112,040).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Colorado

Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $93,080 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $93,080 is roughly equivalent to $84,618 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($103,090), Nevada ($97,610), Texas ($94,660) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Colorado?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Colorado is $93,080 per year (median $91,290), which is 17.5% below the national average of $112,870.

How does Colorado rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?

Colorado ranks 8th 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 Colorado?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Colorado earn about $57,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $77,570.

How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make per hour in Colorado?

About $44.75 per hour, based on the $93,080 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in Colorado?

BLS counts 210 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).

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