Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $86,580 -13.2% vs national
Median hourly $41.62
10th percentile $34,710
90th percentile $147,590
Employed locally 40
National median $99,800

Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators salary & buying power

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Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,710
    25th
    $62,820
    50th (median)
    $86,580
    75th
    $121,200
    90th
    $147,590

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Effects Artists and Animators salary vs area income 101% Median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary is 1% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,070
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $129,260
    California $128,360
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $120,320
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $111,470
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $108,010

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $45,440
    Coaches and Scouts $44,100
    Graphic Designers $62,040
    Public Relations Specialists $73,740
    Producers and Directors $81,720
    Interpreters and Translators $77,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Riverside, CA is $41.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Riverside, CA is 13.2% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $34,710 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,820.