Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
What does a Special Effects Artists and Animators do?
How much can you earn?
National Salary Distribution
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $117,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $73,030 and $135,600
- •Salary spread is 62.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 21,280 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Current Employment
Top Industries
10-Year Outlook
Employment Projections
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Special Effects Artists and Animators professionals work across the United States
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
Skills Overview
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Active Listening
advancedCritical Thinking
advancedReading Comprehension
basicSpeaking
intermediateWriting
intermediateJudgment and Decision Making
intermediateActive Learning
intermediateComplex Problem Solving
advancedMonitoring
basicTime Management
basicHighly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Special Effects Artists and Animators
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
Key Digital Competencies:
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechFigma
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechTrimble SketchUp Pro
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechjQuery
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
🔴Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
🔴Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
🔴Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.
🔴Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
🔴Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
🔴Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
🔴Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer.
🔴Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
🟡Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence.
🟡💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Special Effects Artists and Animators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Special Effects Artists and Animators professionals typically have a ARC Holland code and highly value independence
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Special Effects Artists and Animators
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Preparation Level
Experience Needed
📚 Education Requirement
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Special Effects Artists and Animators.
Browse Training Programs →