Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in West Virginia
Special Effects Artists and Animators in West Virginia earn a median of $60,940 a year ($29.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,740 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $102,030. West Virginia ranks 27th of 31 states for special effects artists and animators pay. There are 0.06 special effects artists and animators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $59,180, close to the median.
Pay range for special effects artists and animators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| 25th percentile | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Median | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| 75th percentile | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Average (mean) | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 | $5,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,539.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,343.85 |
| Weekly | $1,171.92 |
| Hourly | $29.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,760 | 290 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Floral Designer | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| Interior Designer | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Art Director | $63,550 | $30.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,050 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Editor | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,400 | $17.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for special effects artists and animators in West Virginia is $60,940 a year, or $29.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special effects artists and animators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of special effects artists and animators in West Virginia earn at least $77,740 a year. The top 25% earn $61,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for special effects artists and animators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,860 a year, and a quarter of special effects artists and animators earn $50,860 or less.
How many special effects artists and animators work in West Virginia?
About 40 special effects artists and animators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.