Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $101,730 a year ($48.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,960 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,030. Pay here is 15% higher than the Utah statewide median of $88,210. There are 0.21 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,620, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 25th percentile | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Median | $101,730 | $48.91 |
| 75th percentile | $126,770 | $60.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,960 | $79.31 |
| Average (mean) | $100,620 | $48.38 |
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 | $8,477.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,238.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,912.69 |
| Weekly | $1,956.35 |
| Hourly | $48.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $65,450 | $31.46 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,940 | $20.16 |
| Interior Designer | $62,510 | $30.06 |
| Floral Designer | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Art Director | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $43,190 | $20.77 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Fashion Designer | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $31,430 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $101,730 a year, or $48.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $164,960 a year. The top 25% earn $126,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,540 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $73,840 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 170 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.