BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee

$91,320 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$43.9 per hour

▼ 19.1% below U.S. average11th of 31 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$91,320per year
Median$83,080per year
Hourly$43.9per hour
10th – 90th percentile$60,320 – $170,300per year

Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,320
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$66,070
  • 50th Percentile — Median$83,080
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$101,530
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$170,300

Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee earn more than $83,080. The top 10% make $170,300 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,320.

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 11th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $91,320 per year (19.1% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
  • 90 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee — 0.5% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.21: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,320; the top 10% earn over $170,300.
  • Hourly equivalent: $43.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
  • Among creative jobs in Tennessee, Art Directors pays the most ($108,720).

Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $91,320 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $91,320 is roughly equivalent to $103,773 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($93,850), Colorado ($93,080), Illinois ($92,680) 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 Tennessee?

The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Tennessee is $91,320 per year (median $83,080), which is 19.1% below the national average of $112,870.

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

Tennessee ranks 11th 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 Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee earn about $60,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $66,070.

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

About $43.9 per hour, based on the $91,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 90 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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