How much does a special effects artist and animator make in Chicago?
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $40.00 an hour or $6,933 a month.
- Hourly
- $40.00
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 20 of 41
- Jobs in the area
- 550
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,920 | $30.25 | |
| 25th | $65,500 | $31.49 | |
| Median | $83,200 | $40.00 | |
| 75th | $110,000 | $52.88 | |
| 90th | $136,700 | $65.74 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators.
| St. Louis, MO | $75,820 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Editor | $80,380 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $40.00 ($83,200 a year).
Do special effects artist and animators make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $83,200 against $102,000 nationally, 18% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $81,180, so Chicago pays 2% more.
Where does Chicago rank for special effects artist and animator pay?
20 of 41 metro areas with data.
How much does a special effects artist and animator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $62,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,700 or more.
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.