Estimate · based on BLS national data

Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey

$144,474 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$69.46 per hour

▲ 28.0% above U.S. average4th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$144,474per year
Median$130,598per year
Hourly$69.46per hour
10th – 90th percentile$82,593 – $208,565per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in New Jersey

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$82,593
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$112,931
  • 50th Percentile — Median$130,598
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$181,193
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$208,565

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey earn more than $130,598. The top 10% make $208,565 or more, while entry-level workers start around $82,593.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • New Jersey ranks 4th of 51 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $144,474 per year (28.0% above the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • 320 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey — 1.6% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.58: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,593; the top 10% earn over $208,565.
  • Hourly equivalent: $69.46 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $174,948.
  • Among creative jobs in New Jersey, Art Directors pays the most ($136,160).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in New Jersey

Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $144,474 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $144,474 is roughly equivalent to $112,870 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($174,948), District of Columbia ($171,562), Alaska ($148,988) 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 New Jersey?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in New Jersey is $144,474 per year (median $130,598), which is 28.0% above the national average of $112,870.

How does New Jersey rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?

New Jersey ranks 4th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($174,948/yr).

How much do entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators make in New Jersey?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Jersey earn about $82,593 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,931.

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

About $69.46 per hour, based on the $144,474 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in New Jersey?

BLS counts 320 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).

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