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Occupation · SOC 27-1014

Special Effects Artists and Animators

There are 19,970 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $102,030 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Arts, Sports & MediaTypical education: Bachelor's degree
19,970
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$102,030
Median pay a year
Middle half: $75,490–$139,130
4,200
Annual openings
10-year change: −0.3%
279
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
−7% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 37 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $124,590 · LCA filings 1004,650$124,590100
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $96,760 · LCA filings 321,560$96,76032
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $136,770 · LCA filings 221,440$136,77022
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $134,120 · LCA filings 281,030$134,12028
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLMedian pay $91,150 · LCA filings 2960$91,1502
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0690n/a0
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $83,200 · LCA filings 3550$83,2003
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $156,950 · LCA filings 37510$156,95037
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $76,110 · LCA filings 5290$76,1105
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $92,760 · LCA filings 3290$92,7603

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 510 · LCA filings 37$156,95051037
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 1,440 · LCA filings 22$136,7701,44022
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 1,030 · LCA filings 28$134,1201,03028
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 4,650 · LCA filings 100$124,5904,650100
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 2$122,880702

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 39 · Employment 4,650100394,650
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 13 · Employment 5103713510
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 24 · Employment 1,56032241,560
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 12 · Employment 1,03028121,030
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 14 · Employment 1,44022141,440

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $103,480 · Level III $130,000 · Level IV $156,499$76,981$103,480$130,000$156,499
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $88,109 · Level III $109,096 · Level IV $130,083$67,122$88,109$109,096$130,083
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $121,077 · Level III $145,704 · Level IV $170,352$96,429$121,077$145,704$170,352
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $111,862 · Level III $143,478 · Level IV $175,074$80,267$111,862$143,478$175,074
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLLevel II $86,258 · Level III $93,746 · Level IV $101,234$78,770$86,258$93,746$101,234
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $88,525 · Level III $112,632 · Level IV $136,760$64,397$88,525$112,632$136,760
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $79,685 · Level III $93,683 · Level IV $107,702$65,666$79,685$93,683$107,702
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $133,370 · Level III $161,262 · Level IV $189,155$105,477$133,370$161,262$189,155
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $62,275 · Level III $76,773 · Level IV $91,250$47,798$62,275$76,773$91,250
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $80,600 · Level III $97,469 · Level IV $114,317$63,752$80,600$97,469$114,317

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.03Varies by program873Varies by program
Computer Software and Media ApplicationsCIP 11.08STEM OPT · up to 36 months3,568STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralCIP 50.01OPT · up to 12 months271OPT · up to 12 months
Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04OPT · up to 12 months2,673OPT · up to 12 months

See Special Effects Artists and Animators in every metro area

All 37 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology