Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $99,950 +0.2% vs national
Median hourly $48.05
10th percentile $64,080
90th percentile $110,410
Employed locally 170
National median $99,800

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Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Denver, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,080
    25th
    $70,770
    50th (median)
    $99,950
    75th
    $110,410
    90th
    $110,410

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 98% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 2% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Effects Artists and Animators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,070
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $142,690
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $129,260
    California $128,360
    New Jersey $124,300
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $120,320

    Nearby metros — Special Effects Artists and Animators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $142,690
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $120,320
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $108,630
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $100,630
    Colorado $95,130
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $84,180

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $77,530
    Graphic Designers $74,540
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $42,700
    Interior Designers $74,120
    Coaches and Scouts $47,010
    Technical Writers $104,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Denver, CO is $48.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.30 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries?

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Denver, CO is 0.2% above the national median of $99,800. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Denver?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $64,080 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $70,770.