Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary
The median pay for a special effects artists and animators in Utah is $88,210/year ($42.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.54), that's roughly $89,517 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,350/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Utah. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $88K get you in Utah?
About special effects artists and animators
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What this looks like in Utah
Pay for special effects artists and animators in Utah runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $102K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,350/month, 24.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.54) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Utah can be a reasonable trade-off for special effects artists and animatorss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Utah
Entry-level special effects artists and animators (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K. Top earners bring in $153K or more, a $123K spread from bottom to top.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary by metro in Utah
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $102K | +15% | 170 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Utah numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special effects artists and animator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utah?
Yes — at the median salary of $88K, rent takes 24.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,350/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special effects artists and animators in Utah?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special effects artists and animators typically earn — is $30K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,799/month. At HUD’s $1,350/month FMR, rent would take 75% 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 Utah?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $88K here vs. $102K nationally.
How does Utah compare to the national average for special effects artists and animators?
Utah pays $88K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $90K — below the national median.
How much do special effects artists and animators make in Utah?
The median is $88,210 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,990, and experienced special effects artists and animators can clear $152,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in Utah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,528/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,350/month, which eats 24.4% 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 Utah?
Utah has a Regional Price Parity of 98.54 (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 $89,517 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.