BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa

$59,740 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.72 per hour

▼ 47.1% below U.S. average29th of 31 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$59,740per year
Median$47,530per year
Hourly$28.72per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,300 – $104,000per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Iowa

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,300
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$42,580
  • 50th Percentile — Median$47,530
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$60,980
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$104,000

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa earn more than $47,530. The top 10% make $104,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,300.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Iowa ranks 29th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $59,740 per year (47.1% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,300; the top 10% earn over $104,000.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.72 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
  • Among creative jobs in Iowa, Art Directors pays the most ($91,220).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Iowa

Key factors affecting compensation

Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $59,740 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $59,740 is roughly equivalent to $69,465 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($68,440), Oklahoma ($66,380), New Mexico ($61,400) 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 Iowa?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Iowa is $59,740 per year (median $47,530), which is 47.1% below the national average of $112,870.

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

Iowa ranks 29th 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 Iowa?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa earn about $39,300 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,580.

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

About $28.72 per hour, based on the $59,740 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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