Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Special Effects Artists and Animators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $134,120 a year ($64.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,350 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $102,030. Pay here is about the same as the Washington statewide median of $133,480. There are 0.49 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $143,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| 25th percentile | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Median | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| 75th percentile | $178,970 | $86.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,350 | $101.13 |
| Average (mean) | $143,790 | $69.13 |
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 | $11,176.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,588.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,158.46 |
| Weekly | $2,579.23 |
| Hourly | $64.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Interior Designer | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Art Director | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Floral Designer | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $104,980 | $50.47 |
| Designers, All Other | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $82,580 | $39.70 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Fashion Designer | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $134,120 a year, or $64.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $210,350 a year. The top 25% earn $178,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,380 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $103,030 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,030 special effects artists and animators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.