State comparison · 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators salary: California vs Tennessee
Special Effects Artists and Animators in California earn a median of $130,540. In Tennessee, $83,080. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30.4% — not 57.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+57.1%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+30.4%
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%
Tennessee
Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Median
- $83,080
- p25
- $66,070
- p75
- $101,530
- p10
- $60,320
- p90
- $170,300
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
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.