Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $76,210/year ($36.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $70,389 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 58.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $76K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special effects artists and animators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $136K or more, a $76K 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 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | -24% | N/A |
| Illinois | $75K | -25% | N/A |
| Florida | $74K | -26% | 1,430 |
| Missouri | $72K | -28% | 100 |
| Arizona | $68K | -32% | N/A |
| Alabama | $66K | -34% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $65K | -35% | 250 |
| Utah | $63K | -37% | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $62K | -38% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $62K | -38% | 50 |
| Iowa | $61K | -39% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $60K | -39% | 200 |
| Indiana | $56K | -44% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $56K | -44% | 160 |
| West Virginia | $53K | -46% | 50 |
| Nebraska | $53K | -47% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $50K | -50% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 32 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special effects artists and animators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $76,210 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,990, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $135,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,849/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 60.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a special effects artists and animators salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special effects artists and animators salary is worth about $70,389 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.