Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $79,360 a year ($38.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,230 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 10% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $88,350. There are 0.14 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,520 | $24.77 |
| 25th percentile | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Median | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| 75th percentile | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,230 | $59.73 |
| Average (mean) | $82,060 | $39.45 |
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 | $6,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,306.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,052.31 |
| Weekly | $1,526.15 |
| Hourly | $38.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $109,320 | n/a |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $92,340 | n/a |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $78,430 | n/a |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $61,700 | $29.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Interior Designer | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Art Director | $103,990 | $50.00 |
| Floral Designer | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $87,620 | $42.13 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,180 | — |
| Technical Writer | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Editor | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,770 | $22.49 |
| Photographer | $41,130 | $19.78 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $79,360 a year, or $38.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $124,230 a year. The top 25% earn $91,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,520 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $65,960 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 100 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.