Paycheck Atlas

Special Effects Artists and Animators salary in San Jose, CA

The median special effects artists and animators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns $156,950 a year, 54% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $8,963 a month.

10th percentile
$99,280
25th percentile
$120,950
Median percentile
$156,950
75th percentile
$188,410
90th percentile
$215,680

Based on 510 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$107,555 take-home a year
Gross pay$156,950
Federal income tax−$26,402
Social Security + Medicare−$12,007
California income tax (approx.)−$10,987
Monthly take-home$8,963
Every two weeks$4,137

Does it go far here?

$142,135Median pay in San Jose, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 110.4 vs 100).
32%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,840 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in San Jose, CA

JobMedian pay
Family Medicine Physicians$351,760
Lawyers$301,320
Computer and Information Systems Managers$291,660
Natural Sciences Managers$263,810
Architectural and Engineering Managers$234,590
Nurse Practitioners$231,560
Marketing Managers$231,370
Training and Development Managers$230,020

All special effects artists and animators salaries · Take-home pay in California