Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in California
State wage data from the BLS OEWS survey, May 2025.
Median annual
$130,540
Median hourly
$63
Average annual
$134,360
Employed in state
7.4K
The median annual salary for Special Effects Artists and Animators in California is $130,540, or about $63 an hour. That is 28% higher than the national median.
Pay in California ranges from $71,710 at the 10th percentile to $206,160 at the 90th percentile. Roughly 7.4K people work as special effects artists and animators in the state.
Pay distribution in California
10th$71,710
25th$99,280
Median$130,540
75th$164,800
90th$206,160
Salary calculator
- Hourly
- $62.76
- Daily
- $502
- Weekly
- $2,510
- Bi-weekly
- $5,021
- Monthly
- $10,878
- Annual
- $130,540
$130,540 a year is around the 50th percentile for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss in California. The median is $130,540.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay by metro area in California
| Metro area | Median annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $156,950 | 510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | 1.4K |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $124,590 | 4.7K |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,880 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $118,750 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $95,420 | 40 |
Other jobs in California
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,800
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,200
- Retail Salespersons$35,410
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,240
- Registered Nurses$97,550
- Cashiers$32,880
- Office Clerks, General$45,010
- Stockers and Order Fillers$37,330
- General and Operations Managers$105,770
- Software Developers$135,980
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840
- Waiters and Waitresses$35,230
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$58,640
- Security Guards$38,020
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Customer Service Representatives$44,770
- Accountants and Auditors$83,680
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$35,660
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$69,990