BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina

$86,020 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$41.36 per hour

▼ 23.8% below U.S. average14th of 31 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$86,020per year
Median$88,350per year
Hourly$41.36per hour
10th – 90th percentile$53,790 – $120,150per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,790
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$62,530
  • 50th Percentile — Median$88,350
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$105,260
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$120,150

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina earn more than $88,350. The top 10% make $120,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,790.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 14th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $86,020 per year (23.8% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • 370 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina — 1.9% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.58: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,790; the top 10% earn over $120,150.
  • Hourly equivalent: $41.36 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
  • Among creative jobs in North Carolina, Art Directors pays the most ($95,460).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $86,020 on average, placing the state 14th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $86,020 is roughly equivalent to $94,527 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($92,130), Tennessee ($91,320), Utah ($91,180) 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 North Carolina?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in North Carolina is $86,020 per year (median $88,350), which is 23.8% below the national average of $112,870.

How does North Carolina rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?

North Carolina ranks 14th 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 North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina earn about $53,790 per year and the 25th percentile is $62,530.

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

About $41.36 per hour, based on the $86,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 370 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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