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Special Effects Artists and Animators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Iowa (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Special Effects Artists and Animators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Iowa? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

165% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Iowa salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,300
$3,275/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$47,530
$3,961/mo
Senior (P90)
$104,000
$8,667/mo

Iowa vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,300
National: $53,670
-26.8%
Mid-Career (Median)
$47,530
National: $78,841
-39.7%
Senior (P90)
$104,000
National: $124,641
-16.6%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa spans from $39,300 at entry-level to $104,000 at senior level — a difference of $64,700 per year.

P10
$39K
P25
$42K
Median
$47K
P75
$60K
P90
$104K

Career Growth Premium: +165%

Senior Special Effects Artists and Animatorss in Iowa earn $64,700 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$64,700
Monthly Difference
+$5,392
Hourly Difference
+$31.11
Growth Multiple
2.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Special Effects Artists and Animators salary increases with experience in Iowa, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $39,300 $3,275 $18.89
Early Career P25 $42,580 $3,548 $20.47
Mid-Career Median $47,530 $3,961 $22.85
Experienced P75 $60,980 $5,082 $29.32
Senior / Expert P90 $104,000 $8,667 $50.00
Key Insight

Special Effects Artists and Animators in Iowa shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $39,300, while senior-level professionals earn $104,000 — a 165% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($47,530) and experienced level ($60,980), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Iowa Compares to Other States

Where does Iowa rank for Special Effects Artists and Animators senior-level salaries? Compare Iowa's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$209,400
Entry: $65K
+221%
2
$206,160
Entry: $71K
+187%
3
$194,550
Entry: $54K
+259%
4
$176,190
Entry: $60K
+193%
5
$170,300
Entry: $60K
+182%
6
$166,260
Entry: $45K
+267%
7
$154,340
Entry: $53K
+190%
8
$152,720
Entry: $29K
+409%
9
$150,000
Entry: $56K
+168%
10
$138,210
Entry: $47K
+193%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Special Effects Artists and Animators?

Entry-level Special Effects Artists and Animatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $39,300 per year, or $3,275 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $42,580. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Special Effects Artists and Animators make?

Senior Special Effects Artists and Animatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $104,000 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $60,980. This represents a career premium of 165% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Special Effects Artists and Animators?

The career salary growth potential for Special Effects Artists and Animatorss is 165%. Entry-level professionals start at $39,300, while senior-level can earn up to $104,000 — a difference of $64,700 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Special Effects Artists and Animatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Special Effects Artists and Animatorss is Iowa, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $104,000 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Special Effects Artists and Animators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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All Special Effects Artists and Animators & Iowa Resources

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Iowa.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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