Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Kansas is $62,720/year ($30.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.54), which stretches that salary to about $70,047 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,066/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Kansas. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $63K get you in Kansas?
About special effects artists and animators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Kansas
Pay for special effects artists and animators in Kansas runs about 39% below the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $1,066/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.54 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kansas
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track special effects artists and animators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kansas numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a special effects artists and animator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 25.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,066/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special effects artists and animators in Kansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special effects artists and animators typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,388/month. At HUD’s $1,066/month FMR, rent would take 31% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special effects artists and animator a high-paying job in Kansas?
Local pay runs 39% below the national median — $63K here vs. $102K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Kansas compare to the national average for special effects artists and animators?
Kansas pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — below the national median.
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Kansas?
The median is $62,720 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,470, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $102,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Kansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,126/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,066/month, which eats 25.8% 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 Kansas?
Kansas has a Regional Price Parity of 89.54 (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 $70,047 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.