Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in Charlotte
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,570 a year or less, while the top 10% make $131,320 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in Charlotte earn between $67,120 and $108,840.
- $58K10th
- $67K25th
- $92KMedian
- $109K75th
- $131K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $93,400 | $7,783 | $44.90 |
| Median | $92,340 | $7,695 | $44.39 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $67,120 | $5,593 | $32.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $108,840 | $9,070 | $52.33 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in Charlotte vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in Charlotte earn 9% more than the North Carolina average ($86,020) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is -9% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $93,400 | $92,340 | $57,570 | $131,320 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $86,020 | $88,350 | $53,790 | $120,150 | 370 |
| 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 Charlotte
On the average salary of $93,400, a single filer in Charlotte takes home about $71,319 a year, or $5,943 a month and $2,743 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NC | $71,319 | $5,943 |
| Working in SC | $70,660 | $5,888 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Charlotte a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Charlotte area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.3), so the average $93,400 buys what about $95,944 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Charlotte ($49,990). A typical home costs $390,321, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other North Carolina cities
Charlotte ranks 2nd of 3 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Durham pays the most ($99,130).
All Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries in North Carolina
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 Charlotte: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in Charlotte?
$44.90 an hour on average, and $44.40 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Charlotte?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,570 a year and the 25th percentile is $67,120, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in Charlotte?
About $71,319 a year ($5,943 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $93,400.
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in Charlotte than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% 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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC (16740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 10.0%.
- 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).
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