Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $63,630 -36.2% vs national
Median hourly $30.59
10th percentile $44,190
90th percentile $97,130
Employed locally 40
National median $99,800

Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Special Effects Artists and Animators
in
Virginia Beach, VA-NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,190
    25th
    $44,190
    50th (median)
    $63,630
    75th
    $94,840
    90th
    $97,130

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,070
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $108,630
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $86,740
    Nevada $86,290
    Richmond, VA $68,110
    Pennsylvania $60,390

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $69,460
    Coaches and Scouts $41,600
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $37,240
    Producers and Directors $59,430
    Graphic Designers $60,780
    Audio and Video Technicians $50,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $30.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.11 or more per hour.

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

    The median Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 36.2% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animators (10th percentile) earn around $44,190 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,190.