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Practical Effects Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$25.66/hr

... props, and effects. Supports backstage and shop operations, helps train and guide student ... coursework and practical experience. Required Qualifications * A valid driver's license.

Compliance & Safety Coordinator

MD · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

... special effects industry. We are comprised of a team of artists; engineers; event producers ... Ensure procedures are practical, clearly communicated, and consistently followed * Improve internal ...

... a focus on Visual Effects for Interactive Media and Virtual Production (Games Design and ... Areas of scholarship include addressing the social and practical impact of media arts, design and ...

Cinematic AI Specialist

Burbank, CA · On-site +1

$55 - $75/hr

... arts, marketing, publishing, and related creative industries ... Instructors guide students through the practical and creative applications of generative AI tools ...

Cinematic AI Specialist

Burbank, CA · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

... arts, marketing, publishing, and related creative industries ... Instructors guide students through the practical and creative applications of generative AI tools ...

Matthew Black Artist Profile: Jesse Hernandez Profile: Commercial 1: Commercial 2: -TMnc Neon Tech ... Visual Effects Collaboration: Collaborate with the VFX team to ensure visual effects integrate ...

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How much do practical effects artist jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for practical effects artist in the United States is $29.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Practical Effects Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Practical Effects Artist, you need a strong background in sculpture, mold-making, painting, and materials science, often supported by an art or design degree. Familiarity with tools such as airbrushes, casting equipment, animatronics, and industry-standard safety practices is crucial. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and problem-solving are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure realistic, safe, and visually compelling effects that enhance the storytelling in film, TV, and live productions.

How does a Practical Effects Artist typically collaborate with directors and other departments on set?

Practical Effects Artists work closely with directors, production designers, and special effects supervisors to bring visual concepts to life using physical materials. Collaboration often involves participating in creative meetings to understand the director’s vision, coordinating with the art department to ensure effects integrate seamlessly with sets, and communicating with the camera crew to achieve the desired on-screen impact. On set, Practical Effects Artists must be flexible and solution-oriented, adapting their work to last-minute changes while ensuring safety and realism. This role requires strong teamwork skills and the ability to translate creative ideas into tangible, effective results.

What are practical effects artists and what do they do?

Practical effects artists are professionals who create physical, tangible effects for film, television, theater, and live events. Unlike digital effects, practical effects involve real-world materials such as models, props, animatronics, makeup, and pyrotechnics to achieve visual illusions on set. These artists collaborate closely with directors, designers, and other crew members to bring imaginative scenes to life, ranging from explosions to creature effects. Their work adds realism and authenticity to productions, often blending seamlessly with digital enhancements. Practical effects artists are skilled in a wide range of crafts, including sculpting, painting, mechanics, and chemistry.

What is the difference between Practical Effects Artist vs Special Effects Technician?

AspectPractical Effects ArtistSpecial Effects Technician
CredentialsRelevant certifications in effects, makeup, or prop fabricationCertifications in special effects, safety, and sometimes makeup
Work EnvironmentFilm sets, TV productions, theater, commercialsFilm sets, live events, TV, and sometimes theme parks
Industry UsageUsed in creating physical effects like prosthetics, models, and mechanical effectsFocuses on implementing and maintaining effects like explosions, weather effects, and pyrotechnics

The Practical Effects Artist primarily designs and creates physical effects such as prosthetics, models, and mechanical devices, while the Special Effects Technician specializes in executing and maintaining effects like explosions, weather effects, and pyrotechnics. Both roles require safety certifications and work in similar environments, but their focus areas differ within the industry.

More about Practical Effects Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Practical Effects Artist jobs? Cities with the most Practical Effects Artist job openings:
What states have the most Practical Effects Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Practical Effects Artist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Practical Effects Artist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,140 per year, or $29.9 per hour.
Performing Arts Technician Pool (Hourly)

Performing Arts Technician Pool (Hourly)

California State University

On-site

$25.66/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

210th of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Performing Arts Technician Pool (Hourly)

Apply now Job no: 550115
Work type: Staff
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Temporary, Part Time, Theatre Arts, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Salary and Benefits

PLEASE NOTE: The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $21.47 per hour to $25.66 per hour (Step 1 - Step 10).

Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver.
For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package.

Classification

Performing Arts Technician I 

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.

About the Position

This position performs and assists in backstage technical operations for University Theatre events, including lighting, sound, rigging, carpentry, and general stage production support. Aids in mounting departmental productions and servicing external events by constructing and setting up technical systems such as scenery, props, and effects. Supports backstage and shop operations, helps train and guide student assistants in the safe and proper use of equipment and materials, and ensures facilities and equipment are maintained. Performs related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Supervise and Assist

  • Supervise and assist in backstage technical work for University Theatre events, including stage lighting, sound, rigging and light carpentry.  
  • Assist with mounting technical aspects of department productions or assists with servicing events of outside users, includes construction of show items and/or setting up stage technical systems - might deal with scenery, costumes, lights, sound, props, painting, effects, rigging, makeup, setup, strike, stage managing, and other similar production operations.

Backstage Support

  • Provides support for backstage shop and stage operations by meeting regularly and coordinating with shop and stage supervisors to plan, schedule work, and assist in shop operations and with ongoing production and maintenance activities.

Lead Work Assistance 

  • Assists with providing lead work direction to students and student assistants in shops or on stage, which includes but is not limited to assisting in proper use of equipment, tools, and materials and assists in maintaining a safe work environment.
  • Maintains stock, equipment, and facilities and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Entry to the first level within this classification requires one to two years of experience working for a theater, repertory or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound/audio production.
  • This background normally would be achieved through professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience.

Required Qualifications

  • A valid driver's license.
  • Experience with safely using hazardous materials found in backstage shops.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Knowledge of and skills to properly and safely use stage lighting, live/pre-recorded sound, stage rigging, machinery, tools, equipment, and materials of one or more backstage shops, stage, and technical theatre support areas.
  • Skill and ability to safely and securely open and close one or more backstage shops and work spaces after cleaning and checking that broken equipment is marked for repair or maintenance.
  • Ability to take instruction for work to be completed and then develop a plan for doing the work assigned.
  • Ability to complete work on time with a group of students and without considerable additional supervision.
  • Ability to serve courteously and helpfully, especially with students, audiences, and event renters.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

  • BA in Theatre Arts or a related field is preferred and/or four years work in one or more stage technology fields.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment.  Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.
All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's  Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Other Information

All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free.  For more information, please visit our website here.
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available here. 

Sponsorship

Cal State East Bay is not a sponsoring agency for Staff or Management positions and we are not an E-Verify employer.

Mandated Reporter

The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Oct 27 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

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About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US