How much does a special effects artist and animator make in Los Angeles?
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. That is $59.90 an hour or $10,380 a month.
- Hourly
- $59.90
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 41
- Jobs in the area
- 4,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,740 | $31.13 | |
| 25th | $93,230 | $44.82 | |
| Median | $124,600 | $59.90 | |
| 75th | $162,700 | $78.22 | |
| 90th | $206,900 | $99.47 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators.
| San Jose, CA | $157,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $136,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $122,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $118,800 |
Related jobs in Los Angeles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $137,600 |
| Producer and Director | $131,600 |
| Actor | $115,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Camera Operator | $107,600 |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $106,900 |
| Lighting Technician | $105,000 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $103,100 |
| Craft Artist | $100,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly pay in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $59.90 ($124,600 a year).
Do special effects artist and animators make more in Los Angeles than the national average?
Yes: $124,600 against $102,000 nationally, 22% more.
How does Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $130,500, so Los Angeles pays 5% less.
Where does Los Angeles rank for special effects artist and animator pay?
4 of 41 metro areas with data.
How much does a special effects artist and animator make starting out in Los Angeles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $206,900 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.