Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $90,050 a year ($43.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,650 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 5% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $85,830. There are 0.07 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $87,660, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,100 | $26.01 |
| 25th percentile | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Median | $90,050 | $43.30 |
| 75th percentile | $97,810 | $47.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,650 | $59.45 |
| Average (mean) | $87,660 | $42.15 |
Half of special effects artists and animators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,504.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,752.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,463.46 |
| Weekly | $1,731.73 |
| Hourly | $43.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,760 | 290 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,770 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for special effects artists and animators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $133,480 |
| California | $130,540 |
| Nevada | $97,350 |
| New York | $96,770 |
| Colorado | $91,290 |
| Arizona | $89,650 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 |
| Utah | $88,210 |
| Michigan | $86,630 |
| Florida | $85,870 |
See Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $79,820 | $38.37 |
| Art Director | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Floral Designer | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Designers, All Other | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1014. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artists and animators make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $90,050 a year, or $43.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $123,650 a year. The top 25% earn $97,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,100 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $66,440 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 90 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.