Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ is $96,670/year ($46.48/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.32), that's roughly $93,564 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,839/month, or 29.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $97K get you in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler’s Regional Price Parity (103.32). 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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What this looks like in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Special effects artists and animators pay in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $102K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,839/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.32) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for special effects artists and animators in metros near Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $125K | $110K |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $137K | $118K |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $157K | $142K |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas | $87K | $87K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $34K 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 with published data
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special effects artists and animator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 29.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,839/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special effects artists and animators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special effects artists and animators typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,949/month. At HUD’s $1,839/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $102K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compare to the national average for special effects artists and animators?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.32), the purchasing-power equivalent is $94K — below the national median.
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median is $96,670 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,810, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $100,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,165/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,839/month, which eats 29.8% 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has a Regional Price Parity of 103.32 (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 $93,564 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.