All careers › Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Makeup artist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $23,360lowest 10% earn less
- $34,53025th percentile
- $97,150median
- $143,23075th percentile
- $167,470top 10% earn more
Theatrical and performance makeup artists had a median pay of $97,150 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, a bit faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +6.1%[2]
- Openings per year
- 600[6]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[7]
How much do makeup artists make?
The median pay for a makeup artist in this BLS category was $97,150 a year, or $46.71 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $102,240 a year, or $49.16 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].
The range is very wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $23,360 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $167,470[4]. The middle of the pack is shown below.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4][9] | $23,360 | $11.23 |
| 25th[4][9] | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Median[1] | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| 75th[4][9] | $143,230 | $68.86 |
| 90th[4][9] | $167,470 | $80.51 |
A percentile is a boundary, not a job level. BLS publishes percentile wages and not a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. That matters here, because 48.1% of makeup artists in this category were self-employed in 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
BLS published state figures for only 5 states and DC[13]. Georgia was first at $143,230, then California at $140,870 and Louisiana at $129,580[13]. California had the most jobs with 830, followed by Florida with 250[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA was first at $160,190, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $140,870[15]. The Los Angeles area had the most jobs, at 780[16]. Overall, BLS counted only about 2,340 wage and salary jobs in the country[17].
Show median pay in 5 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia[13] | $143,230 | 200 |
| California | $140,870 | 830 |
| Louisiana | $129,580 | n/a |
| New York | $97,150 | 190 |
| District of Columbia | $95,730 | 60 |
| Florida | $82,400 | 250 |
How to become a makeup artist
BLS describes the typical path in a few short steps.
- First: earn a postsecondary nondegree award. This is the usual education level for entry[7].
- Next: you do not typically need related work experience[7].
- Then: you do not typically need on-the-job training[7].
In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 33% said a high school diploma or equivalent was the education level required, and 29% said a post-secondary certificate[18]. Another 10% each named less than high school, some college courses and a bachelor's degree[18]. Because the survey is small, treat these as a snapshot and not as a rule for the whole field.
O*NET places the job in a group where earlier skills, knowledge or experience are needed[19].
What makeup artists do
O*NET says makeup artists apply makeup to performers so it fits the period, setting and situation of the role[20]. Common tasks include:
- Cleaning supplies such as brushes[21].
- Repeating a look exactly so a character appears the same each day[21].
- Applying makeup to change or enhance how people look in productions such as movies[21].
- Reading a script to plan each scene around how characters should look[21].
- Adjusting makeup during a shoot for lighting changes or continuity[21].
- Talking with production staff and performers about the effect they want[21].
- Getting materials such as wigs, beards and special cosmetics[21].
- Setting a budget and working within it[21].
Workers report job titles such as hair and makeup designer, prosthetic makeup designer and special effects makeup artist[22].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of these makeup artists to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,300 to 4,600 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. The projection counts include self-employed workers, so they are higher than the wage and salary count above[2].
About 600 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or move to other work, and not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.4% of workers leave the labor force and 8% move to a different occupation[23].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show pay that is well above the all-occupations median, with a very wide range between the lowest and highest earners[1][4][5]. The job market is small, with about 2,340 wage and salary jobs, and California had the most of them, at 830[17][14]. Nearly half of workers were self-employed, so income may look different from the wage figures here[11][12]. The typical entry path is a postsecondary nondegree award with no related experience needed[7]. Growth is projected to be a little faster than average[2][3].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a makeup artist make an hour?
- The median was $46.71 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $49.16[1][8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $11.23 an hour[9].
- What education do you need to be a makeup artist?
- BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education, with no related experience or on-the-job training[7].
- Is makeup artist work in demand?
- BLS projects 6.1% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 600 openings a year[2][3][6].
- What is the highest paying state for makeup artists?
- Among the 5 states and DC with published data, Georgia was first at $143,230, followed by California at $140,870[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in the US was $97,150 per year and $46.71 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 4,300 to 4,600 jobs (a change of +300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: 10th percentile $23,360, 25th percentile $34,530, 75th percentile $143,230, 90th percentile $167,470. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 600 openings for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance was $102,240 per year and $49.16 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: 10th percentile $11.23, 25th percentile $16.60, 75th percentile $68.86, 90th percentile $80.51. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 48.1% of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance jobs: California 830; Florida 250; Georgia 200; New York 190; District of Columbia 60. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (areas with at least 100 jobs): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $160,190; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,870; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $108,520; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,150. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 780 (median $140,870); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 180 (median $97,150); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 160 (median $108,520); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 140 (median $160,190); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 70 (median $95,730). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,340 people were employed as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 39-5091.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 33%, Post-Secondary Certificate 29%, Less than a High School Diploma 10%, Some College Courses 10%, Bachelor's Degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 39-5091.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 39-5091.00 sample job titles reported by workers: 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). O*NET OnLine
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: 5.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.