Special Effects Artists and Animators
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.
Also called: 3D Animator (Three-Dimensional Animator), 3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist), 3D Designer (Three-dimensional Designer), 3D Modeler (Three-Dimensional Modeler), 3D Specialist (Three-Dimensional Specialist), Animation Artist
Median pay
$102,030
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$58,600 – $177,110
People employed
19,970
Holland code
ARC
Artistic · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Special Effects Artists and Animators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (31 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in every state →
What special effects artists and animators do
- 01Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
- 02Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
- 03Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- 04Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
- 05Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
- 06Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Design
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from special effects artists and animators
- Producers and Directors82% · −11%
- Video Game Designers82% · group pay
- Film and Video Editors80% · −26%
- Web and Digital Interface Designers73% · +2%
- Writers and Authors66% · −25%
Change into special effects artists and animators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Film and Video Editors90% · $75,420
- Video Game Designers82% · $104,000
- Producers and Directors77% · $90,360
- Desktop Publishers76% · $55,290
- Writers and Authors75% · $76,910
Majors that lead here
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
- Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
- Digital Arts
- Graphic Design
- Game and Interactive Media Design
- Drawing
- Intermedia/Multimedia
- Painting
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.