Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in Pittsburgh
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,290 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,950 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in Pittsburgh earn between $57,490 and $82,280.
- $51K10th
- $57K25th
- $69KMedian
- $82K75th
- $104K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $74,000 | $6,167 | $35.58 |
| Median | $69,300 | $5,775 | $33.32 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $57,490 | $4,791 | $27.64 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $82,280 | $6,857 | $39.56 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in Pittsburgh earn about the same as the Pennsylvania average ($74,780) and 34% less than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is -32% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $74,000 | $69,300 | $51,290 | $103,950 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $74,780 | $71,760 | $49,680 | $103,940 | 300 |
| 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 Pittsburgh
On the average salary of $74,000, a single filer in Pittsburgh takes home about $58,617 a year, or $4,885 a month and $2,255 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Pittsburgh a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.7), so the average $74,000 buys what about $78,165 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Pittsburgh ($49,650). A typical home costs $231,356, or 3.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Pittsburgh ranks 2nd of 2 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($82,110).
- Philadelphia$82,110
- Pittsburgh$74,000
All Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in Pittsburgh?
$35.58 an hour on average, and $33.32 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,290 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,490, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in Pittsburgh?
About $58,617 a year ($4,885 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $74,000. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in Pittsburgh than elsewhere?
The average here is 34% 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 Pittsburgh, PA (38300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.7%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
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