Special Effects Artists and Animators Salary in Los Angeles, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Special Effects Artists and Animators in Los Angeles, CA have a median annual salary of $124,590, with 4,650 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $64,740 at the 10th percentile to $206,900 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$124,590

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$59.90

Employment

4,650

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$64,740
10th
$93,230
25th
$124,590
Median
$162,690
75th
$206,900
90th

Local compared with national

Los Angeles, CA

$124,590

Median annual · 2025

United States

$102,030

Median annual · 2025

The Los Angeles, CA median is 22.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $22,560).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.3
  5. 5.WritingImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Learning StrategiesImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Two-dimensional graphics software
  • Unity Technologies Unity
  • UNIX
  • Unreal Technology Unreal Engine
  • VectorDesigner
  • Xara Designer Pro
  • XML User Interface XUI
  • YouTube
  • Ability Photopaint
  • ACD Systems Canvas
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe AIR

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
  • Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
  • Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
  • Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in other locations

Other occupations in Los Angeles, CA