Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Effects Artist in South Dakota is $25,244 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $12.
However, a Special Effects Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
Special Effects Artist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $27,451 | $2,288 | $528 | $13 |
| Average | $25,244 | $2,104 | $485 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,831 | $1,903 | $439 | $11 |
Pilot Flying J - WILLIAMS, IA
Pilot Flying J - WALTON, KY
Pilot Flying J - SONORA, KY
Pilot Flying J - FREDONIA, IN
A Special Effects Artist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Special Effects Artist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Special Effects Artist | $25,579 |
| Intermediate Level Special Effects Artist | $25,816 |
| Senior Level Special Effects Artist | $26,338 |
| Specialist Level Special Effects Artist | $26,442 |
| Expert Level Special Effects Artist | $26,512 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Special Effects Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Special Effects Artist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Special Effects Artist positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Special Effects Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $30,292 | $15.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Special Effects Artist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $27,451 | $2,288 | $528 | $13 |
| Average | $25,244 | $2,104 | $485 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,831 | $1,903 | $439 | $11 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Special Effects Artist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Pilot Flying J
HAMPTON, NJ
Pilot Flying J | HAMPTON, NJ
Join Pilot Flying J as a Subway Sandwich Artist and help fuel the journeys of professional drivers and travelers. In this fast-paced, guest-focused role, y... more
6 Days Ago
SeaWorld San Diego
PACIFIC BEACH, CA
SeaWorld San Diego | PACIFIC BEACH, CA
SEASONAL POSITION At SeaWorld, we're passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we've already rescued over 40,000 animals (and counting. ). And we can s... more
5 Days Ago
Good Samaritan
FLORENCE, OR
Good Samaritan | FLORENCE, OR
Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta seeks a CT Special Imaging Technologist to join our Healthcare & Medical Services team. In this role, you will perf... more
5 Days Ago
Good Samaritan
SPRINGFIELD, OR
Good Samaritan | SPRINGFIELD, OR
Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta seeks a CT Special Imaging Technologist to join our Healthcare & Medical Services team. In this role, you will perf... more
5 Days Ago
Good Samaritan
SPRINGFIELD, OR
Good Samaritan | SPRINGFIELD, OR
Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta seeks a CT Special Imaging Tech to provide high-quality CT and advanced imaging services in our mission-driven, fai... more
5 Days Ago
Good Samaritan
CORVALLIS, OR
Good Samaritan | CORVALLIS, OR
Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta seeks a CT Special Imaging Tech to provide high-quality CT and advanced imaging services in our mission-driven, fai... more
5 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
