Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $95,420 a year ($45.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,880 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 27% lower than the California statewide median of $130,540. There are 0.02 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.19). The average (mean) salary is $105,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| 25th percentile | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Median | $95,420 | $45.88 |
| 75th percentile | $130,920 | $62.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,880 | $78.31 |
| Average (mean) | $105,560 | $50.75 |
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 | $7,951.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,975.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,670 |
| Weekly | $1,835 |
| Hourly | $45.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $156,950 | 510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | 1,440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $124,590 | 4,650 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,880 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $118,750 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Floral Designer | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Interior Designer | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Art Director | $104,360 | $50.18 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,300 | $38.60 |
| Fashion Designer | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $73,780 | $35.47 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,260 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Producers and Directors | $97,360 | $46.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $95,420 a year, or $45.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $162,880 a year. The top 25% earn $130,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,550 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $78,940 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 40 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.