State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs North Carolina
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In North Carolina, $88,350. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.9% — not 47.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+47.8%
California vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+25.9%
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%
North Carolina
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $88,350
- p25
- $62,530
- p75
- $105,260
- p10
- $53,790
- p90
- $120,150
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
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.