Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in California (2026)

California Median

$140,870

per year

Hourly Rate

$67.73

based on 2,080 hrs/yr

vs National

+45% vs US median

US median $97,150

State Rank

#2 of 6

830 employed here

How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make in California?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in California take home a median of $140,870 annually — roughly $67.73 an hour — which runs 45% above the national median of $97,150.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $76,340 while the top 10% make $169,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $124,800 and $143,450 a year.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary range in California

Pay level	Annual salary	Hourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)	$76,340	$36.70
25th percentile (early career)	$124,800	$60.00
50th percentile (median)	$140,870	$67.73
75th percentile (experienced)	$143,450	$68.97
90th percentile (top earners)	$169,590	$81.53

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 6 states and territories for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

Rank	State	Median salary
1	Georgia	$143,230
2	California	$140,870
3	Louisiana	$129,580
4	New York	$97,150
5	District of Columbia	$95,730

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in other states

Georgia $143,230Louisiana $129,580New York $97,150District of Columbia $95,730Florida $82,400

Working as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in California

Nationally, about 2,000 people work as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($140,870) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make in California?

The median Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in California is $140,870 per year, or about $67.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,340 at the entry level to $169,590 for the top 10% of earners.

How does California pay compare to the national average?

California pays Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance about 45% more than the national median of $97,150. California ranks 2nd out of 6 states and territories reporting this occupation.

Is California a good state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?

Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $140,870 a year. About 830 Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.

What are the highest-paying jobs in California?

The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.