Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in North Carolina
Special Effects Artists and Animators in North Carolina earn a median of $88,350 a year ($42.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,150 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,030. North Carolina ranks 7th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.07 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $86,020, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| 25th percentile | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Median | $88,350 | $42.48 |
| 75th percentile | $105,260 | $50.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,150 | $57.76 |
| Average (mean) | $86,020 | $41.36 |
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 | $7,362.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,681.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,398.08 |
| Weekly | $1,699.04 |
| Hourly | $42.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $109,320 | n/a |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $92,340 | n/a |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,360 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $78,430 | n/a |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fashion Designer | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Designers, All Other | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in North Carolina is $88,350 a year, or $42.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in North Carolina earn at least $120,150 a year. The top 25% earn $105,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,790 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $62,530 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in North Carolina?
About 370 special effects artists and animators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.