Visual Effects Salaries
Visual Effects Salaries
What are the visual effects salaries you can expect? Find out about visual effects salaries and earning potential.
For those interested in careers in media and the creation of visual products, the specialized field of visual effects offers great long term prospects and growth potential. A visual effects technician (also called a visual effects...
Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university with nearly 16,000 students. Established in 1929, the university offers accredited AA, BFA, BA, MFA, MA, and M.Arch programs in 15 areas of art and design emphasis...
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Digital Media Arts College
Digital Media Arts College offers accelerated Degrees in Animation or Graphic Design, incredible 24 hour facilities, first semester design on computers, and an intimate "Artist Designed" environment. An education with DMAC will prepare you for careers within video game design...
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Full Sail University
Creativity. Imagination. Original ideas. The entertainment and creative industries thrive on fresh original stories, design, music and art. But no matter where your passion lies, one of the keys to a sustainable career in the future will be the ability to think creatively and have the skills to bring your ideas to life in a meaningful way...
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artist) normally works for the production departments of motion picture companies, television channels, animation firms and the video game industry. Visual effects is a dynamic field and new opportunities in greenfield areas are opening up every day.
At the entry level visual effects salaries are in the region of $20,000, although large variations do occur, depending on specialization and skill levels. While this may not seem to be very high when compared to other professions, the rapid growth potential that the industry offers makes it a rewarding career, both in financial as well as job satisfaction terms. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that salaries for visual effects technicians and artists range from $50,000 to $100,000 which is extremely lucrative by any standards. While the quantum of pay will vary depending on the employer and the nature of the job profile, the average visual effects salary in the Los Angeles area is about $46,000.
It may appear that with LA being the hub of the motion picture and television industry, salaries here will not reflect a true picture of the countrywide earning potential. Large production companies like Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic are known for the excellent salaries they pay and these pay scales may appear to skew the overall picture. But the reality is that visual effects are now needed for a variety of industries such as software development and electronic publishing and the job opportunities in these areas are not LA centric or even location specific. Employment opportunities are available countrywide. In fact, many startups locate themselves in smaller towns and cities to reduce their overheads. At the same time, these startups know that they must attract the best talent to establish themselves and the remuneration they offer is extremely good. Career opportunities are available almost everywhere and the visual effects salaries on offer, even in less well known locations, match industry standards.
Working in visual effects does not require any formal qualifications, although having a degree in a relevant field, such as Graphic Design, Computer Animation, Web Design and Interactive Media is helpful. What makes for success in visual effects is innate talent, creativity, an ability to learn on the job, a willingness to explore new avenues for the application of these effects and, as in any job, the ability to work hard.
Visual effects is an integral part of a high profile and glamorous world. Many who enter it think that they will work on games like Death Race or movies like Toy Story or Avatar and become stars overnight. This rarely happens – capability and talent must first be proven. But the career offers, at the outset, a good wage and over time, the potential for huge growth. With a projected growth rate of 17% over the next few years, the potential for very high visual effects salaries is enormous.
