Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $80,170 -19.7% vs national
Median hourly $38.54
10th percentile $56,080
90th percentile $96,580
Employed locally 40
National median $99,800

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Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,080
    25th
    $67,450
    50th (median)
    $80,170
    75th
    $84,780
    90th
    $96,580

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 99% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 1% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $120,320
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $108,630
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $76,180
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $75,780
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $67,710
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $63,630

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $65,860
    Coaches and Scouts $58,810
    Graphic Designers $60,310
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $33,450
    Technical Writers $100,660
    Editors $80,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Durham, NC is $38.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Durham, NC is 19.7% below 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $56,080 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,450.