Best cities for a special effects specialist
The best cities for special effects specialists are Washington, DC, Las Vegas, NV, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for special effects specialists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for special effects specialists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a special effects specialist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for special effects specialists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for special effects specialists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a special effects specialist. While the absolute best city for special effects specialists is Washington, DC, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for special effects specialists in 2024.
If you're looking for a special effects specialist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for special effects specialists in 2025
1. Washington, DC
Total special effects specialist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $102,491 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 7.43 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $98,475 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Reno, NV
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $102,350 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $181,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. North Las Vegas, NV
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $98,318 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Henderson, NV
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $98,195 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Durham, NC
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,507 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Raleigh, NC
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $77,391 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Indianapolis, IN
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $111,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Detroit, MI
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $74,318 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Greensboro, NC
Total special effects specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $76,371 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for special effects specialists
- Washington, DC
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Durham, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
- Detroit, MI
- Greensboro, NC
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Detailed list of the best cities for a special effects specialist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $102,491 | $62,000 | 681,170 | 3 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $98,475 | $55,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $102,350 | $57,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 4 | North Las Vegas, NV | $98,318 | $55,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 5 | Henderson, NV | $98,195 | $55,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $77,507 | $46,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $77,391 | $46,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $67,372 | $40,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $74,318 | $45,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 10 | Greensboro, NC | $76,371 | $45,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 11 | Fort Wayne, IN | $70,268 | $42,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 12 | Winston-Salem, NC | $75,792 | $45,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 13 | Louisville, KY | $64,172 | $38,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 14 | Baltimore, MD | $89,204 | $54,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $76,943 | $46,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $72,941 | $43,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 17 | Lubbock, TX | $66,461 | $38,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 18 | Nashville, TN | $63,389 | $37,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 19 | Lexington, KY | $64,989 | $39,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 20 | El Paso, TX | $67,928 | $39,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 21 | Wichita, KS | $65,567 | $39,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 22 | Albuquerque, NM | $67,423 | $39,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 23 | Austin, TX | $65,727 | $38,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 24 | San Antonio, TX | $65,649 | $38,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 25 | Brookhaven, NY | $77,117 | $47,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 26 | Fort Worth, TX | $65,293 | $38,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 27 | Islip, NY | $77,034 | $47,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 28 | Arlington, TX | $65,228 | $38,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 29 | Memphis, TN | $62,014 | $36,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 30 | Oyster Bay, NY | $76,953 | $47,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 31 | Irving, TX | $65,064 | $38,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 32 | Hempstead, NY | $76,878 | $47,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 33 | New York, NY | $76,771 | $47,000 | 8,537,673 | 1 |
| 34 | Dallas, TX | $65,056 | $38,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 35 | Portland, OR | $67,971 | $38,000 | 639,863 | 4 |
| 36 | Garland, TX | $64,859 | $38,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 37 | Plano, TX | $64,780 | $38,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $64,896 | $37,000 | 2,303,482 | 2 |
| 39 | Milwaukee, WI | $62,184 | $38,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 40 | Laredo, TX | $64,311 | $37,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 41 | San Francisco, CA | $76,092 | $42,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 42 | San Jose, CA | $75,626 | $42,000 | 1,025,350 | 4 |
| 43 | Buffalo, NY | $75,359 | $46,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 44 | Corpus Christi, TX | $64,138 | $37,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 45 | Madison, WI | $61,157 | $37,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 46 | Oakland, CA | $75,961 | $42,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 47 | Fremont, CA | $75,744 | $42,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 48 | Sacramento, CA | $75,618 | $42,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 49 | Boston, MA | $65,895 | $40,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 50 | Stockton, CA | $75,445 | $42,000 | 307,072 | - |
Highest paying cities for special effects specialists
| Rank | City | Avg. special effects specialist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover, DE | $104,162 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $102,491 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $75,626 |
| 4 | Eugene, OR | $69,155 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $66,472 |
| 6 | Weatherford, TX | $65,501 |
| 7 | Knoxville, TN | $64,378 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $58,131 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $56,545 |