Special effects artists and animators
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$99,800
~$48/hr · ~$8,317/mo
US Jobs
57K
Slower than average
AI & Automation Risk
9/10
Very High
AI & Automation Risk
Very High 9/10
This occupation is almost entirely digital, with core tasks like 3D modeling, rendering, and animation being directly disrupted by generative AI and automated rigging tools. While high-level creative direction and complex team collaboration remain human-centric, AI is rapidly automating the 'routine' aspects of CGI and visual effects, significantly increasing individual productivity and reducing the total number of workers needed for large-scale productions.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $158,070 | Above avg (113.1) | $139,812 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $142,690 | Above avg (112.7) | $126,576 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $129,260 | Above avg (114.7) | $112,646 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $100,630 | Average (98.3) | $102,395 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $120,320 | Above avg (117.6) | $102,356 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $111,470 | Above avg (109.1) | $102,181 |
| Reno, NV | $100,060 | Average (98.0) | $102,076 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $108,630 | Above avg (106.7) | $101,795 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $108,010 | Above avg (113.7) | $95,008 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,950 | Above avg (105.8) | $94,499 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $103,940 | Above avg (112.6) | $92,272 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $92,720 | Average (102.5) | $90,482 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,130 | Above avg (110.7) | $87,709 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $77,640 | Below avg (91.2) | $85,101 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $83,200 | Average (98.3) | $84,651 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+2% (Slower than average)
Hourly Rate
~$48/hr
Monthly Income
~$8,317/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)