How much do Special Effects Artists and Animators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

Percentile spread

For Special Effects Artists and Animators, the published 10th percentile is $57,820 and the 90th percentile is $124,660. The difference is $66,840, which is 61.1% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $91,220 to the 75th at $109,320, covers $18,100.

The mean annual wage is $99,130, which sits below the median of $109,320. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median is 7.1% higher than the national median of $102,030 for Special Effects Artists and Animators. In 2024 national prices the local median is $112,040, which is 9.8% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 23.7% higher than the North Carolina median of $88,350.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is 97.572, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $109,320 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Special Effects Artists and Animators at $112,040 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

4 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Special Effects Artists and Animators. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ranks 1st of 5 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Raleigh-Cary, NC is 39 miles away, with a median of $79,360 and employment of 100. That median is 27.4% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $80,850, against $112,040 here.
• Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 111 miles away, with a median of $92,340. That median is 15.5% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $94,856, against $112,040 here.
• Richmond, VA is 134 miles away, with a median of $76,380 and employment of 30. That median is 30.1% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $78,052, against $112,040 here.