Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (SOC 39-5091) earn a median $97,150 a year ($46.71 an hour) in the United States, with 2,340 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Georgia.
What makeup artists, theatrical and performance do
Theatrical and performance makeup artists put makeup on performers so their look fits the period, setting, and situation of the role. They study production information such as character descriptions and period settings, and read the script for events that change each character's appearance, so they can plan scene by scene. They meet with stage or film officials and performers to agree on the desired effects, then apply makeup to enhance or change how people in productions such as movies look. During production they adjust or maintain the makeup to account for lighting changes or to keep the effect consistent, and they reproduce a character's look exactly day after day. They requisition or obtain what special effects require, such as wigs, beards, and unusual cosmetics, and wash supplies such as brushes. Body makeup artist and character artist are among the related titles.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or equivalent as the usual education level (about 33 percent).
Also called: Beauty Advisor, Beauty Specialist, Beauty Stylist, Beauty Therapist, Body Make-Up Artist (Body MUA).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $11.23 | $16.60 | $46.71 | $68.86 | $80.51 | $49.16 | 2,340 |
| Annual | $23,360 | $34,530 | $97,150 | $143,230 | $167,470 | $102,240 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where makeup artists, theatrical and performance earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $31.00 | $48.29 | $68.86 | $77.01 | $77.98 | $67.58 | 200 | 0.04 | 2.67 |
| Annual | $64,480 | $100,450 | $143,230 | $160,190 | $162,190 | $140,560 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $36.70 | $60.00 | $67.73 | $68.96 | $81.54 | $66.55 | 830 | 0.05 | 3.03 |
| Annual | $76,340 | $124,800 | $140,870 | $143,450 | $169,590 | $138,420 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $10.68 | $56.02 | $62.30 | $63.43 | $63.45 | $54.73 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $22,200 | $116,510 | $129,580 | $131,930 | $131,970 | $113,830 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $37.63 | $46.41 | $46.71 | $70.29 | $92.71 | $57.97 | 190 | 0.02 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $78,260 | $96,540 | $97,150 | $146,200 | $192,840 | $120,580 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $25.00 | $32.96 | $46.02 | $46.02 | $53.78 | $42.58 | 60 | 0.09 | 5.90 |
| Annual | $52,000 | $68,560 | $95,730 | $95,730 | $111,870 | $88,560 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $36.70 | $60.00 | $67.73 | $68.96 | $81.54 | $66.55 | 830 | 0.05 | 3.03 |
| Annual | $76,340 | $124,800 | $140,870 | $143,450 | $169,590 | $138,420 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $15.41 | $15.82 | $39.62 | $72.25 | $102.81 | $48.72 | 250 | 0.03 | 1.68 |
| Annual | $32,040 | $32,910 | $82,400 | $150,280 | $213,850 | $101,330 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $31.00 | $48.29 | $68.86 | $77.01 | $77.98 | $67.58 | 200 | 0.04 | 2.67 |
| Annual | $64,480 | $100,450 | $143,230 | $160,190 | $162,190 | $140,560 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $37.63 | $46.41 | $46.71 | $70.29 | $92.71 | $57.97 | 190 | 0.02 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $78,260 | $96,540 | $97,150 | $146,200 | $192,840 | $120,580 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $25.00 | $32.96 | $46.02 | $46.02 | $53.78 | $42.58 | 60 | 0.09 | 5.90 |
| Annual | $52,000 | $68,560 | $95,730 | $95,730 | $111,870 | $88,560 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $31.00 | $48.29 | $77.01 | $77.16 | $77.93 | $65.83 | 140 | 0.05 | 3.19 |
| Annual | $64,480 | $100,450 | $160,190 | $160,500 | $162,080 | $136,930 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $36.70 | $64.93 | $67.73 | $68.96 | $81.54 | $67.24 | 780 | 0.12 | 8.23 |
| Annual | $76,340 | $135,060 | $140,870 | $143,450 | $169,590 | $139,860 | ||||
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Hourly | $15.41 | $23.31 | $52.17 | $83.69 | $129.88 | $57.63 | 160 | 0.11 | 7.38 |
| Annual | $32,040 | $48,480 | $108,520 | $174,080 | $270,140 | $119,880 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $37.45 | $46.41 | $46.71 | $73.45 | $92.69 | $57.17 | 180 | 0.02 | 1.27 |
| Annual | $77,900 | $96,540 | $97,150 | $152,770 | $192,780 | $118,920 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $25.00 | $40.78 | $46.02 | $46.74 | $66.72 | $45.27 | 70 | 0.02 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $52,000 | $84,820 | $95,730 | $97,220 | $138,770 | $94,150 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $36.70 | $64.93 | $67.73 | $68.96 | $81.54 | $67.24 | 780 | 0.12 | 8.23 |
| Annual | $76,340 | $135,060 | $140,870 | $143,450 | $169,590 | $139,860 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $37.45 | $46.41 | $46.71 | $73.45 | $92.69 | $57.17 | 180 | 0.02 | 1.27 |
| Annual | $77,900 | $96,540 | $97,150 | $152,770 | $192,780 | $118,920 | ||||
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Hourly | $15.41 | $23.31 | $52.17 | $83.69 | $129.88 | $57.63 | 160 | 0.11 | 7.38 |
| Annual | $32,040 | $48,480 | $108,520 | $174,080 | $270,140 | $119,880 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $31.00 | $48.29 | $77.01 | $77.16 | $77.93 | $65.83 | 140 | 0.05 | 3.19 |
| Annual | $64,480 | $100,450 | $160,190 | $160,500 | $162,080 | $136,930 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $25.00 | $40.78 | $46.02 | $46.74 | $66.72 | $45.27 | 70 | 0.02 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $52,000 | $84,820 | $95,730 | $97,220 | $138,770 | $94,150 | ||||
Top industries employing makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Motion Picture and Video Industries employ 48.7% of makeup artists, theatrical and performance nationally (1,140 jobs) at a median $140,870 a year ($67.73 an hour), followed by Amusement Parks and Arcades (6.0%) and Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (4.7%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries NAICS 512100 | 1,140 | 48.7% | $140,870 | $67.73 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades NAICS 713100 | 140 | 6.0% | * | * |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 541900 | 110 | 4.7% | * | * |
| Employment Services NAICS 561300 | 80 | 3.4% | $132,140 | $63.53 |
| Performing Arts Companies NAICS 711100 | 60 | 2.6% | $66,890 | $32.16 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (2,340). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $134,750 for makeup artists, theatrical and performance in May 2021 and $97,150 in May 2025, with employment of 1,960 and 2,340.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $134,750 | $64.78 | 1,960 |
| May 2022 | $96,370 | $46.33 | 2,970 |
| May 2023 | $47,390 | $22.79 | 4,130 |
| May 2024 | $50,280 | $24.17 | 3,320 |
| May 2025 | $97,150 | $46.71 | 2,340 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
6 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia profile | $68.86 | $143,230 | $64,480 | $162,190 | 200 | 0.04 | 2.67 |
| 2 | California profile | $67.73 | $140,870 | $76,340 | $169,590 | 830 | 0.05 | 3.03 |
| 3 | Louisiana profile | $62.30 | $129,580 | $22,200 | $131,970 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | New York profile | $46.71 | $97,150 | $78,260 | $192,840 | 190 | 0.02 | 1.32 |
| 5 | District of Columbia profile | $46.02 | $95,730 | $52,000 | $111,870 | 60 | 0.09 | 5.90 |
| 6 | Florida profile | $39.62 | $82,400 | $32,040 | $213,850 | 250 | 0.03 | 1.68 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (39-5090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Personal Care and Service Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 39-5091 Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked. A withheld or top-coded median in that table shows the marker explained above.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 39-5091, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 39-5091.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.