Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $134,120/year ($64.48/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $120,687 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $134K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue sits well above the national pay line for special effects artists and animators, local pay runs about 31% higher than the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $2,501/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 11% above the national average (BEA RPP 111.13), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K. Top earners bring in $210K or more, a $145K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special effects artists and animator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Yes — at the median salary of $134K, rent takes 29.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,501/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special effects artists and animators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special effects artists and animators typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,923/month. At HUD’s $2,501/month FMR, rent would take 64% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Local pay is 31% above the national median — $134K here vs. $102K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 11% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for special effects artists and animators?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays $134K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +31%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 111.13), the purchasing-power equivalent is $121K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $134,120 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,380, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $210,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,535/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 29.3% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $120,687 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.