Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

Median annual salary $48,990 -50.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.56
10th percentile $22,320
90th percentile $95,780
Employed locally 60
National median $99,800

Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Pittsburgh, PA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Pittsburgh, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,320
    25th
    $44,990
    50th (median)
    $48,990
    75th
    $69,920
    90th
    $95,780

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 66% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 34% 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
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $92,720
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $83,940
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $82,790
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $73,590
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $61,790

    Related occupations in Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $56,800
    Coaches and Scouts $46,850
    Graphic Designers $53,230
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $35,880
    Producers and Directors $62,810
    Audio and Video Technicians $55,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Pittsburgh, PA is $23.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 50.9% 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 Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $22,320 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,990.