Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $83,940 -15.9% vs national
Median hourly $40.36
10th percentile $55,240
90th percentile $120,180
Employed locally 170
National median $99,800

Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators salary & buying power

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Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,240
    25th
    $83,940
    50th (median)
    $83,940
    75th
    $98,690
    90th
    $120,180

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 104% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 4% above 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $100,630
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $79,390

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$62,580
    Coaches and Scouts$32,940
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$36,060
    Graphic Designers$56,380
    Interpreters and Translators$39,320
    Editors$29,040

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Houston, TX is $40.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Houston, TX is 15.9% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $55,240 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $83,940.