How much does a special effects artist and animator make in San Francisco?
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $65.75 an hour or $11,400 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.75
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 41
- Jobs in the area
- 1,440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $86,370 | $41.52 | |
| 25th | $105,100 | $50.50 | |
| Median | $136,800 | $65.75 | |
| 75th | $168,100 | $80.81 | |
| 90th | $205,800 | $98.95 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for special effects artist and animators.
| San Jose, CA | $157,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $124,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $122,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $118,800 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $165,200 |
| Musician and Singer | $157,600 |
| Technical Writer | $135,500 |
| Producer and Director | $130,600 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $129,300 |
| Fine Artist | $126,500 |
| Music Director and Composer | $113,000 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $110,800 |
| Film and Video Editor | $109,900 |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $109,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $65.75 ($136,800 a year).
Do special effects artist and animators make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $136,800 against $102,000 nationally, 34% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $130,500, so San Francisco pays 5% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for special effects artist and animator pay?
2 of 41 metro areas with data.
How much does a special effects artist and animator make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $86,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $205,800 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.