Special Effects Artists and Animators Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,140
- 25th Percentile — Junior$66,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$81,510
- 75th Percentile — Senior$110,180
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$138,210
Half of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia earn more than $81,510. The top 10% make $138,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,140.
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 13th of 31 states for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay, at $89,750 per year (20.5% below the U.S. average of $112,870).
- 380 people work as Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia — 1.9% of all U.S. Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.73: Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,140; the top 10% earn over $138,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $43.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $141,450.
- Among creative jobs in Virginia, Art Directors pays the most ($107,540).
Special Effects Artists and Animators Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Special Effects Artists and Animators here earn $89,750 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $89,750 is roughly equivalent to $81,591 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($92,680), Ohio ($92,130), Tennessee ($91,320) 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
Other Creative Jobs in Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $107,540/yr Virginia +19.8% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $92,860/yr Virginia +3.5% vs this role
- Editors $89,740/yr Virginia +0.0% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $88,260/yr Virginia 1.7% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $87,480/yr Virginia 2.5% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $76,820/yr Virginia 14.4% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $76,670/yr Virginia 14.6% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $74,770/yr Virginia 16.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Virginia?
The average Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Virginia is $89,750 per year (median $81,510), which is 20.5% below the national average of $112,870.
How does Virginia rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators pay?
Virginia ranks 13th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia earn about $47,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $66,920.
How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make per hour in Virginia?
About $43.15 per hour, based on the $89,750 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Special Effects Artists and Animators work in Virginia?
BLS counts 380 Special Effects Artists and Animators jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data