State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs New Mexico
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In New Mexico, $54,000. After cost-of-living, the gap is 101.3% — not 141.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+141.7%
California vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
+101.3%
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%
New Mexico
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $54,000
- p25
- $52,790
- p75
- $54,010
- p10
- $52,070
- p90
- $82,180
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
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.