Special Effects Artists and Animators
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Median pay: $102,030/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 5,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
What's the median pay for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
The median pay for Special Effects Artists and Animators is $102,030 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Employment for Special Effects Artists and Animators is projected to change +1.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
About 5,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.