Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,760
- 25th Percentile — Junior$67,230
- 50th Percentile — Median$81,180
- 75th Percentile — Senior$108,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$136,710
Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois earn more than $81,180. The top 10% make $136,710 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,760.
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 9th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $92,680 per year (17.9% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
- 630 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois — 3.2% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.81: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,760; the top 10% earn over $136,710.
- Hourly equivalent: $44.56 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
- Among creative jobs in Illinois, Art Directors pays the most ($114,870).
Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $92,680 on average, placing the state 9th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $92,680 is roughly equivalent to $88,267 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($97,610), Texas ($94,660), Florida ($93,850) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $114,870/yr Illinois +23.9% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $96,520/yr Illinois +4.1% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $95,920/yr Illinois +3.5% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $87,560/yr Illinois 5.5% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $86,060/yr Illinois 7.1% vs this role
- Interior Designers $85,520/yr Illinois 7.7% vs this role
- Editors $80,620/yr Illinois 13.0% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $77,240/yr Illinois 16.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Illinois?
The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Illinois is $92,680 per year (median $81,180), which is 17.9% below the national average of $112,870.
How does Illinois rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?
Illinois ranks 9th 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 Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois earn about $60,760 per year and the 25th percentile is $67,230.
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make per hour in Illinois?
About $44.56 per hour, based on the $92,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in Illinois?
BLS counts 630 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data