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Special effects specialist salary
Average special effects specialist salary
$61,198
Average Special Effects Specialist Salary
The average salary for a Special Effects Specialist in the United States is $61,198 per year, equating to approximately $29 per hour. However, salaries can fluctuate significantly based on geographical location, years of experience, and the complexity of projects undertaken.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at lower wage brackets, but seasoned professionals with specialized skills can command much higher rates. Additionally, working in major metropolitan areas often leads to increased earning potential due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments.
Highest Paying States and Cities
States such as California, New York, and Texas are known for higher average salaries for special effects specialists. Cities like Los Angeles and New York City, being hubs for film and entertainment, also offer some of the highest compensation packages.
Understanding these dynamics can aid aspiring specialists in making informed career decisions, ultimately leading to greater job satisfaction and financial success in the field of special effects.
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Where can a Special Effects Specialist earn more?
Average special effects specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for special effects specialists are Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The lowest average special effects specialist salary states are Alaska, Montana, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special effects specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $104,312 | $50.15 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $106,433 | $51.17 |
| 3 | Delaware | $104,170 | $50.08 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $106,484 | $51.19 |
| 5 | Nevada | $98,673 | $47.44 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $102,342 | $49.20 |
| 7 | Michigan | $73,964 | $35.56 |
| 8 | Maryland | $88,887 | $42.73 |
| 9 | Illinois | $76,328 | $36.70 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $75,349 | $36.23 |
| 11 | Iowa | $68,822 | $33.09 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $64,193 | $30.86 |
| 13 | New York | $76,736 | $36.89 |
| 14 | Maine | $74,316 | $35.73 |
| 15 | Oregon | $68,467 | $32.92 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $67,358 | $32.38 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $66,254 | $31.85 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| 19 | Vermont | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| 20 | Indiana | $67,828 | $32.61 |
| 21 | Arkansas | $61,842 | $29.73 |
| 22 | Idaho | $65,597 | $31.54 |
| 23 | Washington | $65,978 | $31.72 |
| 24 | California | $72,408 | $34.81 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $58,608 | $28.18 |
| 26 | Kansas | $65,621 | $31.55 |
| 27 | Arizona | $58,097 | $27.93 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $61,898 | $29.76 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $66,195 | $31.82 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| 31 | Texas | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| 32 | Massachusetts | $65,959 | $31.71 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $50,478 | $24.27 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $45,563 | $21.91 |
| 35 | Utah | $51,501 | $24.76 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $45,286 | $21.77 |
| 37 | Missouri | $45,803 | $22.02 |
| 38 | Ohio | $44,699 | $21.49 |
| 39 | Colorado | $59,245 | $28.48 |
| 40 | Florida | $52,986 | $25.47 |
| 41 | Alaska | $42,739 | $20.55 |
| 42 | Virginia | $55,117 | $26.50 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $51,395 | $24.71 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $32,410 | $15.58 |
| 45 | Montana | $39,948 | $19.21 |
| 46 | Alabama | $46,522 | $22.37 |
| 47 | Georgia | $48,199 | $23.17 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $39,355 | $18.92 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $45,493 | $21.87 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $39,462 | $18.97 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $39,033 | $18.77 |
Highest paying cities for special effects specialists
The highest-paying cities for special effects specialists are Dover, DE, Washington, DC, and San Jose, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover, DE | $104,162 | $50.08 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $102,491 | $49.27 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $75,626 | $36.36 |
| 4 | Eugene, OR | $69,155 | $33.25 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $66,472 | $31.96 |
| 6 | Weatherford, TX | $65,501 | $31.49 |
| 7 | Knoxville, TN | $64,378 | $30.95 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $58,131 | $27.95 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $56,545 | $27.19 |
Special effects specialist salary details
A special effects specialist's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special effects specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $61,198 | $5,100 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
Highest paying special effects specialist jobs
The highest paying types of special effects specialists are technical artist, storyboard artist, and game artist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Animator | $73,596 | $6,133 | $35.38 | 571 |
| 3D Modeler | $75,946 | $6,329 | $36.51 | 1,245 |
| Animator | $76,853 | $6,404 | $36.95 | 551 |
| 3D Artist | $74,721 | $6,227 | $35.92 | 3,978 |
| Motion Graphics Artist | $67,079 | $5,590 | $32.25 | 4,288 |
| Concept Artist | $85,713 | $7,143 | $41.21 | 3,596 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for special effects specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Rowan University
Top companies hiring special effects specialists now:
Which companies pay special effects specialists the most?
Special effects specialist salaries at Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego and US Oncology Holdings Inc are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special effects specialist salary at companies like United States Courts and FedEx are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego | $88,313 | $42.46 |
| 2 | US Oncology Holdings Inc | $73,996 | $35.58 |
| 3 | United States Courts | $69,162 | $33.25 |
| 4 | FedEx | $60,592 | $29.13 |
| 5 | HealthTrust | $60,512 | $29.09 |
| 6 | Amazon | $57,946 | $27.86 |
| 7 | Magellan Health | $53,993 | $25.96 |
| 8 | Voices College-Bound Language Academies | $52,439 | $25.21 |
| 9 | United Community Bank | $43,592 | $20.96 |
| 10 | East Whittier City School District | $42,098 | $20.24 |
| 11 | Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands | $37,019 | $17.80 |
| 12 | Sprouts Farmers Market | $34,194 | $16.44 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special effects specialist salary trends
The average special effects specialist salary has risen by $13,287 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special effects specialist earned $47,911 annually, but today, they earn $61,198 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for special effects specialists over the last decade.
Compare special effects specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special effects specialist salary over time
Compare special effects specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special effects specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $61,200 | $29.42 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $59,300 | $28.50 | +3.7% |
| 2024 | $57,100 | $27.46 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $55,600 | $26.71 | +7.4% |
| 2022 | $51,400 | $24.73 | +2.0% |
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