Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $83,200 a year ($40.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,740 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $81,180. There are 0.12 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $65,500 | $31.49 |
| Median | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 75th percentile | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,740 | $65.74 |
| Average (mean) | $93,820 | $45.11 |
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 | $6,933.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,466.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,200 |
| Weekly | $1,600 |
| Hourly | $40.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $75,820 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,710 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,960 | 30 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Floral Designer | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $112,950 | $54.30 |
| Craft Artist | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $83,200 a year, or $40.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $136,740 a year. The top 25% earn $109,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,920 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $65,500 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 550 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.