Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,010 a year or less, while the top 10% make $162,580 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in San Diego earn between $85,210 and $146,170.
- $78K10th
- $85K25th
- $119KMedian
- $146K75th
- $163K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $117,610 | $9,801 | $56.54 |
| Median | $118,750 | $9,896 | $57.09 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $85,210 | $7,101 | $40.97 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $146,170 | $12,181 | $70.27 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in San Diego earn 12% less than the California average ($134,360) and 4% more than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is +16% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $117,610 | $118,750 | $78,010 | $162,580 | 100 |
| California | $134,360 | $130,540 | $71,710 | $206,160 | 7,410 |
| United States | $112,870 | $102,030 | $58,600 | $177,110 | 19,970 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $117,610, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $84,723 a year, or $7,060 a month and $3,259 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $117,610 buys what about $105,115 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 8.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 5th of 6 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($161,540).
- San Jose$161,540
- San Francisco$145,960
- Los Angeles$130,260
- Sacramento$120,760
- San Diego$117,610
- Riverside$105,560
All Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for special effects artists and animators
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($161,540).
- San Jose, CA$161,540
- San Francisco, CA$145,960
- Seattle, WA$143,790
- Los Angeles, CA$130,260
- Sacramento, CA$120,760
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Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in San Diego: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in San Diego?
$56.54 an hour on average, and $57.09 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,010 a year and the 25th percentile is $85,210, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in San Diego?
About $84,723 a year ($7,060 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $117,610. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% more than the U.S. average for this job ($112,870).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1014; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.53, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.53).
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