Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in California
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540 a year ($62.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,160 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $102,030. California ranks 2nd of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.41 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $134,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| 25th percentile | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Median | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| 75th percentile | $164,800 | $79.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,160 | $99.11 |
| Average (mean) | $134,360 | $64.59 |
Half of special effects artists and animators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,878.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,439.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,020.77 |
| Weekly | $2,510.38 |
| Hourly | $62.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $156,950 | 510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | 1,440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $124,590 | 4,650 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,880 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $118,750 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $95,420 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for special effects artists and animators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $133,480 |
| California | $130,540 |
| Nevada | $97,350 |
| New York | $96,770 |
| Colorado | $91,290 |
| Arizona | $89,650 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 |
| Utah | $88,210 |
| Michigan | $86,630 |
| Florida | $85,870 |
See Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Craft Artist | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1014. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artists and animators make in California?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in California is $130,540 a year, or $62.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in California?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in California earn at least $206,160 a year. The top 25% earn $164,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,710 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $99,280 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in California?
About 7,410 special effects artists and animators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.