SOC 27-1014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Effects Artists and Animators — Missouri
Missouri · 2 metro areas compared
At $65,470, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Special Effects Artists and Animators, 35.8% beneath the national figure of $102,030.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $65,470, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Special Effects Artists and Animators, 35.8% beneath the national figure of $102,030. Pay ranges from under $48,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $103,740 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,160 to $77,570.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.21 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Missouri ranks number 23rd out of 31 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $75,820. Of the 733 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 258th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,020 | −52.9% |
| 25th | $59,160 | −42.0% |
| Median (50th) | $65,470 | −35.8% |
| 75th | $77,570 | −24.0% |
| 90th | $103,740 | +1.7% |
| Mean | $74,600 | −26.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $75,820 | 50 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $69,820 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $65,470 goes as far as $72,104 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,104US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,470 a year, 35.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,020 to $103,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 31 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $75,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $65,470, or $31.48 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 Missouri is 35.8% 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 Missouri earns more than $103,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,020 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.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in St. Louis, at $75,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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