Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median of $97,150 per year ($46.71/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.1% through 2035, with about 600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 39-5091
- Personal Care and Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance in four numbers
- Median pay
- $97,150a year, or $46.71/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $23KTop 10% $167K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.1%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6004,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.3K
- Projected 20354.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.3K Projected 2035 4.6K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.5%
- High school33.3%
- Certificate28.6%
- Some college9.5%
- Associate's4.8%
- Bachelor's9.5%
Highest education held by makeup artists, theatrical and performance Segment Value Less than high school 9.5% High school 33.3% Certificate 28.6% Some college 9.5% Associate's 4.8% Bachelor's 9.5%
Also advertised as: 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.
Pay
How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make?
Every makeup artist, theatrical and performance in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$97,150
Middle half earn $34,530 to $143,230
- 10th
- $23,360
- 25th
- $34,530
- 75th
- $143,230
- 90th
- $167,470
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $23,360 |
| 25th | $34,530 |
| Median | $97,150 |
| 75th | $143,230 |
| 90th | $167,470 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $97,150
- Median hourly wage
- $46.71/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $102,240
- People employed
- 2,340
Versus all US occupations
At $97,150, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn 91% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $46,170 a year.
Versus personal care and service occupations
Inside the Personal Care and Service group, where the middle occupation pays $38,120, this is 155% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $167,470 or more while the bottom 10% earn $23,360, a gap of 7.2×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 70% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Georgia pays the most at $143,230, and still leads at $148,744 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Georgia | $143,230 | $148,744 | 200 |
| 2California | $140,870 | $127,231 | 830 |
| 3Louisiana | $129,580 | $146,904 | N/A |
| 4New York | $97,150 | $90,020 | 190 |
| 5District of Columbia | $95,730 | $87,106 | 60 |
| 6Florida | $82,400 | $79,680 | 250 |
Job outlook
Is Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | +6.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance to change 6.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 600 openings are projected each year, 14.0% of the 4,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as makeup artists, theatrical and performance.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)33.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate28.6%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.5%
- Some College Courses9.5%
- Bachelor's Degree9.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 33.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 28.6% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.5% |
| Some College Courses | 9.5% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 9.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance do?
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.
- Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
- Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
- Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
- Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Active Listening3.5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing2.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Management of Financial Resources2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Management of Financial Resources | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Instant messaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 7 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Artistic6.7
- Realistic4.3
- Enterprising3.1
- Conventional3.0
- Social3.0
- Investigative1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance
O*NET related occupations
- Personal Care and Service
- Personal Care and Service
- Personal Care and Service
- Personal Care and Service
- Production
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker
$41,600median a year
Most earn $31K to $61K
+1.3%No formal credential - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Fine Artist, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$55,490median a year
Most earn $32K to $144K
−2.9%Bachelor's
More personal care and service careers
Median annual pay, with makeup artists, theatrical and performance highlighted
- Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance$97,150
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$47,160
- Concierge$38,950
- Tour Guide and Escort$38,120
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$35,760
- Nanny$34,980
- Childcare Worker$34,980
- Gambling Dealer$34,320
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 |
| Concierge | $38,950 |
| Tour Guide and Escort | $38,120 |
| Hairstylist | $35,790 |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 |
| Nanny | $34,980 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance appears on
Questions
Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance: frequently asked questions
How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make?
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median of $97,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 91% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.71/hr. The middle half earn between $34,530 and $143,230. The top 10% earn $167,470 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 33.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance do?
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role. A core O*NET task: clean supplies such as makeup brushes. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Graphics or photo imaging software.
Which states pay Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance the most?
The highest state medians for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance are Georgia ($143,230), California ($140,870), Louisiana ($129,580) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance?
O*NET scores Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance highest on the Artistic, Realistic and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFP, ENFP, INFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.