SOC 27-1014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Effects Artists and Animators — Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia Beach, VA is $78,430 a year, trailing the national median of $102,030 by 23.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia Beach, VA is $78,430 a year, trailing the national median of $102,030 by 23.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $66,920 and $79,560. The lowest tenth earn under $46,770, while the highest tenth earn more than $102,150.
Within the state, Richmond records the highest median at $76,380. Of the 593 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 173rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,770 | −54.2% |
| 25th | $66,920 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $78,430 | −23.1% |
| 75th | $79,560 | −22.0% |
| 90th | $102,150 | +0.1% |
| Mean | $74,610 | −26.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $76,380 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia Beach sit close to the national average, so $78,430 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$78,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$77,577US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,430 a year, 23.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,770 to $102,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $76,380.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median annual wage is $78,430, or $37.71 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 Virginia Beach, VA is 23.1% 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 Virginia Beach, VA earns more than $102,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,770 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 Richmond, at $76,380 per year.
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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