Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
National median · BLS
$97,150
▲ +93.22%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$102,240
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
2,340
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$23,360
25th
$34,530
Median (50th)
$97,150
75th
$143,230
90th — top pay
$167,470
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
BLS projects employment of makeup artists, theatrical and performance to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 600 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
4,300 → 4,600
+300 jobs
Projected change
+6.1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
600
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
No related experience required
Self-employed
48.1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: 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.
About the job
What makeup artists, theatrical and performance do
Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
Also called
Hair and Makeup DesignerMakeup Artist (MUA)Special Effects Makeup Artist (Special Effects MUA)TV and Film Makeup Artist (Television and Film Makeup Artist)Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA)Prosthetic Makeup DesignerSpecial Makeup Effects Artist
More job titles for this occupation (12)
Beauty AdvisorBeauty SpecialistBeauty StylistBeauty TherapistBody Make-Up Artist (Body MUA)Certified Technician (Certified Tech)Character ArtistEyelash Technician (Eyelash Tech)Hair and Makeup ArtistLash Artist (Eyelash Artist)Makeup Technician (Makeup Tech)Makeup Worker
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $97,150.
