Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in Louisville
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,990 a year or less, while the top 10% make $75,250 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in Louisville earn between $48,530 and $60,750.
- $48K10th
- $49K25th
- $51KMedian
- $61K75th
- $75K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $55,380 | $4,615 | $26.62 |
| Median | $50,960 | $4,247 | $24.50 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $48,530 | $4,044 | $23.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $60,750 | $5,062 | $29.21 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in Louisville vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in Louisville earn 9% less than the Kentucky average ($61,110) and 51% less than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is -50% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $55,380 | $50,960 | $47,990 | $75,250 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $61,110 | $50,970 | $44,700 | $89,930 | 40 |
| 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 Louisville
On the average salary of $55,380, a single filer in Louisville takes home about $43,639 a year, or $3,637 a month and $1,678 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $45,046 | $3,754 |
| Working in KY | $43,639 | $3,637 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Is Louisville a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Louisville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.1), so the average $55,380 buys what about $59,501 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Louisville ($48,370). A typical home costs $283,232, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$65,350
- Huntsville, AL$87,790
- St. Louis, MO$78,940
- Chicago, IL$93,820
- Ann Arbor, MI$83,770
- Atlanta, GA$76,910
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 Louisville: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in Louisville?
$26.63 an hour on average, and $24.50 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Louisville?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,990 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,530, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in Louisville?
About $43,639 a year ($3,637 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $55,380. Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in Louisville than elsewhere?
The average here is 51% less 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN (31140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
- 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 (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.37, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.37).
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