Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX is $100,630/year ($48.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $143K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.07), that's roughly $102,610 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,852/month, or 27.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $101K get you in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?
About special effects artists and animators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K.Top earners bring in $143K or more - a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $128K | +29% | 7,690 |
| New Jersey | $124K | +25% | 160 |
| Oregon | $109K | +9% | 470 |
| New York | $102K | +2% | 1,820 |
| Texas | $89K | -11% | N/A |
| Nevada | $86K | -14% | 420 |
| Ohio | $84K | -16% | 290 |
| Kansas | $83K | -17% | N/A |
| Maryland | $82K | -18% | 370 |
| Tennessee | $82K | -18% | N/A |
| Michigan | $81K | -19% | 330 |
| Virginia | $79K | -21% | 260 |
| Georgia | $79K | -21% | 860 |
| Louisiana | $77K | -23% | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | -23% | 270 |
Track special effects artists and animators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX?
The median is $100,630 a year - that works out to about $48.38 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,230, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $142,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,598/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,852/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special effects artists and animators salary go in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos has a Regional Price Parity of 98.07 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special effects artists and animators salary is worth about $102,610 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special effects artists and animators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.