Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in New Mexico
Special Effects Artists and Animators in New Mexico earn a median of $54,000 a year ($25.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,180 for the top 10%. That is 47% lower than the national median of $102,030. New Mexico ranks 28th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.09 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $61,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,070 | $25.03 |
| 25th percentile | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Median | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| 75th percentile | $54,010 | $25.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,180 | $39.51 |
| Average (mean) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
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 | $4,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,250 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,076.92 |
| Weekly | $1,038.46 |
| Hourly | $25.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $54,000 | 50 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Floral Designer | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Interior Designer | $60,850 | $29.25 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,700 | $33.03 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,980 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Technical Writer | $94,970 | $45.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,550 | $30.55 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Photographer | $48,090 | $23.12 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in New Mexico is $54,000 a year, or $25.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in New Mexico earn at least $82,180 a year. The top 25% earn $54,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,070 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $52,790 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in New Mexico?
About 80 special effects artists and animators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.