How much does a special effects artist and animator make in California?
$130,500a year
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators in California. That is $62.76 an hour or $10,880 a month.
- Hourly
- $62.76
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 31
- Jobs in the state
- 7,410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $71,710Median: $130,500Highest 10%: $206,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,710 | $34.48 | |
| 25th | $99,280 | $47.73 | |
| Median | $130,500 | $62.76 | |
| 75th | $164,800 | $79.23 | |
| 90th | $206,200 | $99.12 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $157,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $136,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $124,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $122,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $118,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $95,420 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for special effects artist and animators.
| 1. Washington | $133,500 |
| 2. California | $130,500 |
| 3. Nevada | $97,350 |
| 4. New York | $96,770 |
| 5. Colorado | $91,290 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $62.76 ($130,500 a year).
Do special effects artist and animators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $130,500 against $102,000 nationally, 28% more.
Where does California rank for special effects artist and animator pay?
California ranks 2 of 31 states.
Which city in California pays special effects artist and animators the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $157,000 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.