SOC 27-1014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Effects Artists and Animators — Iowa
Iowa
At $47,530, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Special Effects Artists and Animators, 53.4% beneath the national figure of $102,030.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,530, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Special Effects Artists and Animators, 53.4% beneath the national figure of $102,030. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $42,580 and $60,980. The lowest tenth earn under $39,300, while the highest tenth earn more than $104,000.
Among the 31 states with published data for this occupation, Iowa ranks 31st by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 495th of 711 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,300 | −61.5% |
| 25th | $42,580 | −58.3% |
| Median (50th) | $47,530 | −53.4% |
| 75th | $60,980 | −40.2% |
| 90th | $104,000 | +1.9% |
| Mean | $59,740 | −41.4% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $47,530 goes as far as $54,134 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 46.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,134US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,530 a year, 53.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,300 to $104,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 31st of 31 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $47,530, or $22.85 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $102,030, so pay in Iowa is 53.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa earns more than $104,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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