Special Effects Artist and Animator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A special effects artist and animator earns a median of $102,030 a year ($49.06 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $112,870. About 19,970 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $102,030
- Gross pay
- $3,924.23
- Federal income tax
- −$523.72
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$243.30
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$56.90
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,100.31
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $102,030
- Federal
- $13,617
- FICA
- $7,805
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $80,608
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Technical Writer: $90,390
- Producer and Director: $90,360
- Art Director: $114,850
- Commercial and Industrial Designer: $83,910
- Fashion Designer: $80,960
- Editor: $77,920
- Writer and Author: $76,910
- Film and Video Editor: $75,420
BLS occupation: Special Effects Artists and Animators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 27-1014). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special effects artist and animator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $49.06; the average is $54.27.
What is the salary range for a special effects artist and animator?
The bottom 10% earn under $58,600 and the top 10% earn over $177,110 a year.
How much is $102,030 after taxes?
About $80,608 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $74,038 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.