Makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,360 | $11.23 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Mean (average) | $102,240 | $49.16 |
| 90th percentile | $167,470 | $80.51 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 6 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $140,870 | $76,340 | $169,590 | 830 | 3.03 |
| District of Columbia | $95,730 | $52,000 | $111,870 | 60 | 5.9 |
| Florida | $82,400 | $32,040 | $213,850 | 250 | 1.68 |
| Georgia | $143,230 | $64,480 | $162,190 | 200 | 2.67 |
| Louisiana | $129,580 | $22,200 | $131,970 | ||
| New York | $97,150 | $78,260 | $192,840 | 190 | 1.32 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 600. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 48.1%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General CIP 12.0401
- Make-Up Artist/Specialist CIP 12.0406
- Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing CIP 12.0411
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
- Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
- Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
Technology skills
- Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Appointment scheduling software
- Autodesk Maya
- Autodesk Mudbox
- Blogging software
- Bookitlive
- Clear Books
- Client databases
- DatInf DigiMakeup
- Email software
Transferable skills for career changers: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management.
Common job titles: Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA), Hair and Makeup Designer, Makeup Artist (MUA), Prosthetic Makeup Designer, Special Effects Makeup Artist (Special Effects MUA), Special Makeup Effects Artist, TV and Film Makeup Artist (Television and Film Makeup Artist).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performance make?
The national median annual wage for makeup artists, theatrical and performance was $97,150 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $23,360 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $167,470. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do makeup artists, theatrical and performance need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is makeup artists, theatrical and performance a growing career?
BLS projects employment of makeup artists, theatrical and performance to change +6.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 600 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay makeup artists, theatrical and performance the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Georgia ($143,230), California ($140,870), Louisiana ($129,580). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.