Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $75,820 a year ($36.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,580 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 16% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $65,470. There are 0.04 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $78,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| 25th percentile | $63,950 | $30.74 |
| Median | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| 75th percentile | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,580 | $48.84 |
| Average (mean) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
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 | $6,318.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,159.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,916.15 |
| Weekly | $1,458.08 |
| Hourly | $36.45 |
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 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $69,820 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Floral Designer | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Art Director | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Designers, All Other | $52,010 | $25.01 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Photographer | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $75,820 a year, or $36.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $101,580 a year. The top 25% earn $81,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,670 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $63,950 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 50 special effects artists and animators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.