BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania

$74,780 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$35.95 per hour

▼ 33.7% below U.S. average20th of 31 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$74,780per year
Median$71,760per year
Hourly$35.95per hour
10th – 90th percentile$49,680 – $103,940per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Pennsylvania

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,680
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$57,490
  • 50th Percentile — Median$71,760
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$93,410
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,940

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania earn more than $71,760. The top 10% make $103,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,680.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Pennsylvania ranks 20th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $74,780 per year (33.7% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • 300 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania — 1.5% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.39: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,680; the top 10% earn over $103,940.
  • Hourly equivalent: $35.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
  • Among creative jobs in Pennsylvania, Art Directors pays the most ($102,660).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Pennsylvania

Key factors affecting compensation

Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $74,780 on average, placing the state 20th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $74,780 is roughly equivalent to $75,535 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($84,280), Maryland ($83,310), Wisconsin ($81,240) 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 Pennsylvania?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Pennsylvania is $74,780 per year (median $71,760), which is 33.7% below the national average of $112,870.

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

Pennsylvania ranks 20th 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 Pennsylvania?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pennsylvania earn about $49,680 per year and the 25th percentile is $57,490.

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

About $35.95 per hour, based on the $74,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in Pennsylvania?

BLS counts 300 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data