State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs Iowa
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In Iowa, $47,530. After cost-of-living, the gap is 117.8% — not 174.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+174.6%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+117.8%
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%
Iowa
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $47,530
- p25
- $42,580
- p75
- $60,980
- p10
- $39,300
- p90
- $104,000
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
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.