State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs Pennsylvania
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In Pennsylvania, $71,760. After cost-of-living, the gap is 60.4% — not 81.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+81.9%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+60.4%
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%
Pennsylvania
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $71,760
- p25
- $57,490
- p75
- $93,410
- p10
- $49,680
- p90
- $103,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 97.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +50%
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.