Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Illinois
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Illinois earn a median of $81,180 a year ($39.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,710 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $102,030. Illinois ranks 15th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.10 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| 25th percentile | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Median | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| 75th percentile | $108,640 | $52.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,710 | $65.73 |
| Average (mean) | $92,680 | $44.56 |
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 | $6,765 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,382.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,122.31 |
| Weekly | $1,561.15 |
| Hourly | $39.03 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,200 | 550 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $75,820 | 50 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Interior Designer | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Floral Designer | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Craft Artist | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in Illinois is $81,180 a year, or $39.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in Illinois earn at least $136,710 a year. The top 25% earn $108,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,760 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $67,230 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Illinois?
About 630 special effects artists and animators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.