Best cities for a special effects artist
The best cities for special effects artists are Jersey City, NJ, Newark, NJ, and Islip, NY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for special effects artists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for special effects artists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a special effects artist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for special effects artists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for special effects artists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a special effects artist. While the absolute best city for special effects artists is Jersey City, NJ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for special effects artists in 2024.
If you're looking for a special effects artist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for special effects artists in 2026
1. Jersey City, NJ
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $146,545 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $246,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Newark, NJ
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $146,465 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $246,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Islip, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $147,582 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Oyster Bay, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $147,352 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $247,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Detroit, MI
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $135,834 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $231,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Hempstead, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $146,933 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $247,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. New York, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $146,605 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $246,000 Location quotient: 17.44 8. Brookhaven, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $148,107 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Buffalo, NY
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $143,962 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $244,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Albuquerque, NM
Total special effects artist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $120,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for special effects artists
- Jersey City, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Islip, NY
- Oyster Bay, NY
- Detroit, MI
- Hempstead, NY
- New York, NY
- Brookhaven, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
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Detailed list of the best cities for a special effects artist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City, NJ | $146,545 | $87,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $146,465 | $87,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 3 | Islip, NY | $147,582 | $87,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 4 | Oyster Bay, NY | $147,352 | $87,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $135,834 | $79,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 6 | Hempstead, NY | $146,933 | $87,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 7 | New York, NY | $146,605 | $87,000 | 8,537,673 | 5 |
| 8 | Brookhaven, NY | $148,107 | $88,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 9 | Buffalo, NY | $143,962 | $84,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $120,309 | $70,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 11 | Wichita, KS | $107,617 | $63,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 12 | El Paso, TX | $117,063 | $68,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $110,503 | $63,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $106,549 | $61,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 15 | Lubbock, TX | $114,792 | $67,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | $110,249 | $63,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $121,804 | $71,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $106,737 | $62,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 19 | Memphis, TN | $104,698 | $61,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 20 | Irving, TX | $109,404 | $63,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 21 | Tulsa, OK | $106,014 | $62,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 22 | Dallas, TX | $109,304 | $63,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 23 | Fort Worth, TX | $109,926 | $64,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 24 | Arlington, TX | $109,702 | $64,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 25 | Houston, TX | $108,980 | $62,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 26 | Garland, TX | $108,954 | $63,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 27 | Laredo, TX | $108,959 | $62,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 28 | Plano, TX | $108,904 | $63,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 29 | Corpus Christi, TX | $108,303 | $62,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $90,299 | $53,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 31 | Atlanta, GA | $102,780 | $59,000 | 472,522 | - |
| 32 | Reno, NV | $101,107 | $58,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 33 | Las Vegas, NV | $90,731 | $53,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 34 | Anchorage, AK | $100,599 | $59,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 35 | North Las Vegas, NV | $90,598 | $53,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 36 | Toledo, OH | $87,366 | $51,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 37 | Philadelphia, PA | $84,386 | $50,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 38 | Lexington, KY | $75,673 | $43,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 39 | Boston, MA | $100,607 | $59,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 40 | Henderson, NV | $90,035 | $52,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 41 | Columbus, OH | $84,135 | $49,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 42 | San Francisco, CA | $98,961 | $57,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 43 | Portland, OR | $86,692 | $50,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 44 | Louisville, KY | $74,544 | $43,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 45 | Cincinnati, OH | $78,612 | $45,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 46 | Sacramento, CA | $99,398 | $58,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 47 | Oakland, CA | $98,759 | $57,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 48 | Pittsburgh, PA | $80,794 | $47,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 49 | Fort Wayne, IN | $74,043 | $43,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 50 | Stockton, CA | $98,313 | $57,000 | 307,072 | - |
Highest paying cities for special effects artists
| Rank | City | Avg. special effects artist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $146,605 |
| 2 | Arlington, TX | $109,702 |
| 3 | Andover, MA | $100,730 |
| 4 | Redwood City, CA | $98,239 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $90,731 |
| 6 | Bellevue, WA | $86,548 |
| 7 | Allentown, PA | $84,885 |