Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer. PayThe median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $102,030 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 4,200 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $102,030 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 4,200 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 4,200 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Special effects artists and animators create images that appear to move and visual effects for various forms of media and entertainment.
Work Environment
Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home.
How to Become a Special Effects Artist or Animator
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.
Pay
The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $102,030 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 4,200 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home.
How to Become a Special Effects Artist or Animator
Special effects artists and animators typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field to develop both a portfolio of work and the technical skills that many employers prefer.
Pay
The median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $102,030 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 4,200 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special effects artists and animators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special effects artists and animators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about special effects artists and animators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.