Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Kansas City, MO-KS is $73,800/year ($35.48/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.54), which stretches that salary to about $79,749 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,358/month, or 28% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $74K get you in Kansas City?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Kansas City’s Regional Price Parity (92.54). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About special effects artists and animators
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kansas City, MO-KS
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $48K 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 Kansas City numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median is $73,800 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,200, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $97,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Kansas City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,798/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,358/month, which eats 28.3% 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 City?
Kansas City has a Regional Price Parity of 92.54 (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 $79,749 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.