Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $75,780 -24.1% vs national
Median hourly $36.43
10th percentile $50,110
90th percentile $103,940
Employed locally 90
National median $99,800

Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators salary & buying power

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

    10th
    $50,110
    25th
    $55,870
    50th (median)
    $75,780
    75th
    $83,410
    90th
    $103,940

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 79% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 21% 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
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $80,170
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $76,180
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $67,710
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $63,630

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$64,810
    Coaches and Scouts$37,710
    Graphic Designers$59,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$34,750
    Producers and Directors$66,000
    Writers and Authors$74,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Raleigh, NC is $36.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.73 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Raleigh, NC is 24.1% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $50,110 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $55,870.