Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in California
In California, the median pay for special effects artists and animators is $62.76 an hour ($130,540 a year). About 7,410 people work in this job there.
That is 28% higher than the U.S. median ($102,030). California ranks 2nd of 31 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $34.48 | $71,710 |
| 25% of workers | $47.73 | $99,280 |
| Half of workers (median) | $62.76 | $130,540 |
| 75% of workers | $79.23 | $164,800 |
| 90% of workers | $99.11 | $206,160 |
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $156,950 | 510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $136,770 | 1,440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $124,590 | 4,650 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $122,880 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $118,750 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $95,420 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for special effects artists and animators
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 4,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 |
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 |
| Art Directors | $137,780 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 |
| Photographers | $47,840 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.