Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $67,710 a year ($32.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,350 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $67,000. There are 0.03 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $65,350, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 25th percentile | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| Median | $67,710 | $32.56 |
| 75th percentile | $69,460 | $33.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Average (mean) | $65,350 | $31.42 |
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 | $5,642.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,821.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,604.23 |
| Weekly | $1,302.12 |
| Hourly | $32.56 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,200 | 550 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,960 | 30 |
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 or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Interior Designer | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Art Director | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Floral Designer | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Craft Artist | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Technical Writer | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Editor | $62,610 | $30.10 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $67,710 a year, or $32.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $78,350 a year. The top 25% earn $69,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,730 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $65,250 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 30 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.