Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Maryland
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Maryland earn a median of $85,830 a year ($41.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,750 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $102,030. Maryland ranks 11th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.06 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $83,310, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| 25th percentile | $57,520 | $27.66 |
| Median | $85,830 | $41.27 |
| 75th percentile | $96,640 | $46.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,750 | $53.24 |
| Average (mean) | $83,310 | $40.05 |
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 | $7,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,301.15 |
| Weekly | $1,650.58 |
| Hourly | $41.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,830 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 cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,760 | 290 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $90,050 | 90 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Art Director | $98,400 | $47.31 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Floral Designer | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in Maryland is $85,830 a year, or $41.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in Maryland earn at least $110,750 a year. The top 25% earn $96,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,710 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $57,520 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Maryland?
About 170 special effects artists and animators are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.