How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make?
The median pay for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in the United States is $97,150 per year — about $46.71 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $23,360, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $167,470.
That is $35,760 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary range by percentile
Half of all Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn between $34,530 and $143,230 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,360 | $11.23 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,530 | $16.60 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,150 | $46.71 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $143,230 | $68.86 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,470 | $80.51 |
Highest-paying states for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Georgia leads the country for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay at $143,230 a year, followed by California ($140,870) and Louisiana ($129,580). At the other end, Florida posts the lowest median at $82,400 — a gap of $60,830 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $143,230 | $68.86 | +47% |
| 2 | California | $140,870 | $67.73 | +45% |
| 3 | Louisiana | $129,580 | $62.30 | +33% |
| 4 | New York | $97,150 | $46.71 | +0% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $95,730 | $46.02 | -1% |
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 6 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 2,000 people work as Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $102,240 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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