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The differences between special effects designers and designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a special effects designer, becoming a designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a special effects designer has an average salary of $71,523, which is higher than the $66,347 average annual salary of a designer.
| Special Effects Designer | Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,523 | $66,347 |
| Hourly rate | $34.39 | $31.90 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,314 | 52,433 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Special effects designers and designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Effects Designer | Designer | |
| Average salary | $71,523 | $66,347 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $125,000 | Between $45,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a special effects designer and a designer in terms of educational background:
| Special Effects Designer | Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between special effects designers' and designers' demographics:
| Special Effects Designer | Designer | |
| Average age | 40 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 13% |