Special Effects Artists and Animators pay range in Virginia Beach
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,770 a year or less, while the top 10% make $102,150 or more. The middle half of special effects artists and animators in Virginia Beach earn between $66,920 and $79,560.
- $47K10th
- $67K25th
- $78KMedian
- $80K75th
- $102K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $74,610 | $6,218 | $35.87 |
| Median | $78,430 | $6,536 | $37.71 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $66,920 | $5,577 | $32.17 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $79,560 | $6,630 | $38.25 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay in Virginia Beach vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Special effects artists and animators in Virginia Beach earn 17% less than the Virginia average ($89,750) and 34% less than the U.S. average ($112,870). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $102,030.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $74,610 | $78,430 | $46,770 | $102,150 | n/a |
| Virginia | $89,750 | $81,510 | $47,140 | $138,210 | 380 |
| 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 Virginia Beach
On the average salary of $74,610, a single filer in Virginia Beach takes home about $57,842 a year, or $4,820 a month and $2,225 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NC | $58,850 | $4,904 |
| Working in VA | $57,842 | $4,820 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Virginia Beach a good place for special effects artists and animators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Virginia Beach area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $74,610 buys what about $76,179 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Virginia Beach ($49,430). A typical home costs $373,678, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other Virginia cities
Virginia Beach ranks 2nd of 2 Virginia metro areas for this job; Richmond pays the most ($82,000).
- Richmond$82,000
- Virginia Beach$74,610
All Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia Beach: questions
How much do special effects artists and animators make an hour in Virginia Beach?
$35.87 an hour on average, and $37.71 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level special effects artists and animators salary in Virginia Beach?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,770 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,920, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the special effects artists and animators take-home pay in Virginia Beach?
About $57,842 a year ($4,820 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $74,610.
Do special effects artists and animators earn more in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC (47260). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 11.8%.
- 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).
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