Special Effects Artists and Animators · Washington

Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Washington

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington earn a median annual wage of $133,480 —30.8% above the national median of $102,030. That ranks WA #1 of 31 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$133,480
Median hourly
$64.17
Entry level (P10)
$65,270
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$209,400
90th percentile
Employment
1,130
0.3 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+30.8%
U.S. $102,030

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$65,270
$100,550
$133,480
$174,990
$65,270$133,480$209,400
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $133,480.

Employment is 2.48× as concentrated as the national average, making Washington a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for special effects artists and animators

All 31 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Washington$133,480$64.171,1302.48
2California$130,540$62.767,4103.17
3Nevada$97,350$46.803701.84
4New York$96,770$46.521,5401.24
5Colorado$91,290$43.892100.56
6Arizona$89,650$43.101900.45
7North Carolina$88,350$42.483700.58
8Utah$88,210$42.413201.44
9Michigan$86,630$41.652300.40
10Florida$85,870$41.291,5301.20

Related occupations in Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

OccupationWashington medianU.S. median
Public Relations Specialists$87,470$74,750
Coaches and Scouts$48,030$47,320
Graphic Designers$72,710$62,960
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$48,780$39,390
Producers and Directors$81,550$90,360
Editors$77,850$77,920

Frequently asked questions

How much do special effects artists and animators make in Washington?

The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators in Washington is $133,480, or $64.17 per hour. That is 30.8% above the national median of $102,030.

What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Washington?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $65,270 per year ($31.38/hour). The 25th percentile is $100,550.

How many people work as special effects artists and animators in Washington?

About 1,130 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 0.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Washington a good state for special effects artists and animators?

Washington ranks #1 of 31 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.48x as concentrated as the national average, making Washington a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays special effects artists and animators the most?

Washington has the highest median wage at $133,480 per year, followed by California ($130,540) and Nevada ($97,350).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes