Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$95,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $97,150
State Rank
#5 of 6
60 employed here

How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make in District of Columbia?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in District of Columbia take home a median of $95,730 annually — roughly $46.02 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $97,150.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $52,000 while the top 10% make $111,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,560 and $95,730 a year.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,000$25.00
25th percentile (early career)$68,560$32.96
50th percentile (median)$95,730$46.02
75th percentile (experienced)$95,730$46.02
90th percentile (top earners)$111,870$53.78

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 5th out of 6 states and territories for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

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

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in other states

Working as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($95,730) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in District of Columbia is $95,730 per year, or about $46.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,000 at the entry level to $111,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance about 1% less than the national median of $97,150. District of Columbia ranks 5th out of 6 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $95,730 a year. About 60 Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance are employed in District of Columbia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.