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Salary comparison

Special Effects Artists and Animators vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Special Effects Artists and Animatorss out-earn Public Relations Specialistss by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Special Effects Artists and Animatorss land at $102,030 and Public Relations Specialistss at $74,750. The education gap is real: special effects artists and animator programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss is Washington ($133,480); for Public Relations Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Special Effects Artists and Animators
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$102,030
$74,750
Hourly rate
$49.06/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$58,600
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$177,110
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
19,970
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Special Effects Artists and Animators median pay.

State
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Public Relations Specialists
Washington
$133,480
$87,470
California
$130,540
$85,030
Nevada
$97,350
$73,840
New York
$96,770
$81,250
Colorado
$91,290
$80,680
North Carolina
$88,350
$67,230
Maryland
$85,830
$79,560
Virginia
$81,510
$80,380
Georgia
$81,390
$73,200
Illinois
$81,180
$76,380
Massachusetts
$80,640
$79,660
Rhode Island
$80,040
$77,540
Minnesota
$64,990
$68,620
Wisconsin
$64,890
$67,240
New Mexico
$54,000
$68,700

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Special Effects Artists and Animatorss or Public Relations Specialistss?

Special Effects Artists and Animatorss earn more nationally. The median is $102,030 for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialistss, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Special Effects Artists and Animators or Public Relations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Special Effects Artists and Animators or Public Relations Specialists?

Special Effects Artists and Animators typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Special Effects Artists and Animatorss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss at $133,480/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Special Effects Artists and Animators vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Special Effects Artists and Animatorss earn $133,480 vs. $87,470 for Public Relations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Special Effects Artists and Animators salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a special effects artists and animatorsGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →