Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in California
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn an average of $134,360 a year. That is $21,490 (19%) more than the U.S. average of $112,870. The best-paying metro area is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $161,540.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for special effects artists and animators by metro area. Swipe to see all 6.
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Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in California, charted
Pay over time
Where California special effects artists and animators work
Average pay by state
California vs. neighbors
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $112,870 | $54.27 |
| California | $134,360 | $64.59 |
| Nevada | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Arizona | $84,890 | $40.81 |
Related jobs in California
- Graphic Designers$86,800
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$49,090
- Interior Designers$89,740
- Art Directors$156,060
- Floral Designers$48,540
- Commercial and Industrial Designers$108,400
Average pay, California, May 2025
Questions and answers
How much do special effects artists and animators make in California?
The average is $134,360 a year, and the median is $130,540. That is $21,490 (19%) more than the U.S. average of $112,870.
What is the hourly wage in California?
$64.59 an hour on average; the median is $62.76.
Where in California do they earn the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,540), followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($145,960). The lowest average among 6 metro areas with data is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($105,560).
How does California rank?
California ranks #2 of 31 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.