Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $91,290/year ($43.89/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers.
So what does $91K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About special effects artists and animators
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for special effects artists and animators in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $102K | , |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $97K | , |
| Albuquerque | $54K | , |
| Omaha | $53K | , |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $133K | +31% | 1,130 |
| California | $131K | +28% | 7,410 |
| Nevada | $97K | -5% | 370 |
| New York | $97K | -5% | 1,540 |
| Colorado | $91K | -11% | 210 |
| Arizona | $90K | -12% | 190 |
| North Carolina | $88K | -13% | 370 |
| Utah | $88K | -14% | 320 |
| Michigan | $87K | -15% | 230 |
| Florida | $86K | -16% | 1,530 |
| Maryland | $86K | -16% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $83K | -19% | 90 |
| Virginia | $82K | -20% | 380 |
| Georgia | $81K | -20% | 350 |
| Illinois | $81K | -20% | 630 |
| Massachusetts | $81K | -21% | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $80K | -22% | N/A |
| Texas | $79K | -23% | N/A |
| Indiana | $75K | -26% | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $72K | -30% | 300 |
| Ohio | $67K | -34% | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $67K | -34% | N/A |
| Missouri | $65K | -36% | 80 |
| Minnesota | $65K | -36% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $65K | -36% | 210 |
| Kansas | $63K | -39% | N/A |
| West Virginia | $61K | -40% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $54K | -47% | 80 |
| Kentucky | $51K | -50% | 40 |
| Nebraska | $51K | -50% | 90 |
| Iowa | $48K | -53% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 31 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s the entry-level salary for special effects artists and animators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special effects artists and animators typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,039/month.
Is special effects artists and animator a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $91K here vs. $102K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for special effects artists and animators?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $91K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -11%.
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $91,290 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,310, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $129,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,716/month after taxes. Rent data is not available for this area.
How far does a special effects artists and animators salary go in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special effects artists and animators salary is worth about $91,290 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.