Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Tennessee
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Tennessee earn a median of $83,080 a year ($39.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,300 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $102,030. Tennessee ranks 12th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.03 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.21). The average (mean) salary is $91,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 25th percentile | $66,070 | $31.76 |
| Median | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| 75th percentile | $101,530 | $48.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,300 | $81.88 |
| Average (mean) | $91,320 | $43.90 |
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 | $6,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,195.38 |
| Weekly | $1,597.69 |
| Hourly | $39.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Art Director | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| Floral Designer | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,230 | $34.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $43,030 | $20.69 |
| Craft Artist | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in Tennessee is $83,080 a year, or $39.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in Tennessee earn at least $170,300 a year. The top 25% earn $101,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,320 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $66,070 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Tennessee?
About 90 special effects artists and animators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.