State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs Illinois
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In Illinois, $81,180. After cost-of-living, the gap is 45.3% — not 60.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+60.8%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+45.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $130,540
- p25
- $99,280
- p75
- $164,800
- p10
- $71,710
- p90
- $206,160
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -61%
Illinois
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $81,180
- p25
- $67,230
- p75
- $108,640
- p10
- $60,760
- p90
- $136,710
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.