39 Series · SOC 39-5091
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $97,150
- Median / year
- +93.2%
- 2024→2025
- $167,470
- Top 10% earn
- +8.1%
- Growth '24–'34
- 2,340
- Estimated US jobs
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median of $97,150 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $97,150, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $23,360 (10th percentile) to $167,470 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 2,340 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is Georgia ($143,230).
The pay verdict
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median of $97,150, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 82% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Personal Care and Service, it ranks #1 of 32 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 8.1% by 2034.
- $97,150
- Median annual wage
- Top 18%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #1 of 32
- in Personal Care and Service
- 7.2×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Georgia at $143,230. Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance moved from $75,730 in May 2019 to $97,150 in May 2025 (+28.3%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance sits +3.8 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (SOC 39-5091) has a national median of $97,150 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $23,360 to $167,470, and the published mean is $102,240. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 2,340 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 6 state or territory areas and 5 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $50,280 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $97,150 in May 2025, a rise of $46,870 (+93.2%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +8.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as much faster than average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 1,100 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Postsecondary nondegree award as typical education needed for entry. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Personal Care and Service Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Georgia pays the highest state median at $143,230, which is +47% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at $160,190. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
Median Salary
$97,150
per year
Median Hourly
$46.71/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$102,240
average
Employment
2,340
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$97,150 Top 18% higher than 82% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 (this entry) | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$97,150 · 82nd percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 39-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Childcare Workers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -2.9%, Median annual wage $34980
- Amusement and Recrea…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $32150
- Recreation Workers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $36560
- Exercise Trainers an…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11.9%, Median annual wage $47160
- Hairdressers, Hairst…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.6%, Median annual wage $35790
- Animal Caretakers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.1%, Median annual wage $35360
- Manicurists and Pedi…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7%, Median annual wage $35760
- Ushers, Lobby Attend…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.2%, Median annual wage $32910
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.7%, Median annual wage $48590
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.3%, Median annual wage $48560
- Residential Advisors: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.8%, Median annual wage $42240
- Gambling Dealers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -0.6%, Median annual wage $34320
- Skincare Specialists: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.7%, Median annual wage $45330
- Personal Care and Se…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $41600
- Tour and Travel Guides: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.1%, Median annual wage $38120
- Concierges: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.3%, Median annual wage $38950
- Funeral Attendants: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.1%, Median annual wage $35680
- Baggage Porters and …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -1.6%, Median annual wage $37080
- First-Line Superviso…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2%, Median annual wage $63820
- Morticians, Undertak…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.1%, Median annual wage $55010
- Animal Trainers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 5.1%, Median annual wage $39990
- Locker Room, Coatroo…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $36300
- Barbers: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.1%, Median annual wage $38210
- Gambling Service Wor…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) -0.6%, Median annual wage $36310
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 8.1%, Median annual wage $97150
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+8.1%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
1,100
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+600
7,000 (2024) → 7,600 (2034)
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Personal Care and Service Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
1.5/100K
Injury Rate
2/100
Danger Index
8.8/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
- ▸ Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $53,230 |
| 2016 | $60,970 |
| 2017 | $59,300 |
| 2018 | $64,250 |
| 2019 | $75,730 |
| 2020 | $106,920 |
| 2021 | $134,750 |
| 2022 | $96,370 |
| 2023 | $47,390 |
| 2024 | $50,280 |
| 2025 | $97,150 |
2015 median
$53,230
2025 median
$97,150
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$21,420 (+28.3%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+4.2%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $53,230 | First banked release | 3,060 |
| May 2016 | $60,970 | +14.5% | 3,600 |
| May 2017 | $59,300 | -2.7% | 3,540 |
| May 2018 | $64,250 | +8.3% | 3,140 |
| May 2019 | $75,730 | Classification break | 3,400 |
| May 2020 | $106,920 | +41.2% | 2,780 |
| May 2021 | $134,750 | +26.0% | 1,960 |
| May 2022 | $96,370 | -28.5% | 2,970 |
| May 2023 | $47,390 | -50.8% | 4,130 |
| May 2024 | $50,280 | +6.1% | 3,320 |
| May 2025 | $97,150 | +93.2% | 2,340 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $53,230 in May 2015 to $97,150 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +4.2% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 3,400 in May 2019 to 2,340 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 6 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $143,230 | +47% above national |
| 2 | California | $140,870 | +45% above national |
| 3 | Louisiana | $129,580 | +33% above national |
| 4 | New York | $97,150 | same as national |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $95,730 | 1% below national |
| 6 | Florida | $82,400 | 15% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 5 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $160,190 | +65% above national |
| 2 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $140,870 | +45% above national |
| 3 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $108,520 | +12% above national |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $97,150 | same as national |
| 5 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,730 | 1% below national |
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 39 (Personal Care and Service Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
SOC 39-3091
Animal Caretakers
SOC 39-2021
Animal Trainers
SOC 39-2011
Baggage Porters and Bellhops
SOC 39-6011
Barbers
SOC 39-5011
Showing 5 of 31 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Personal Care and Service Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($97,150 here) and reported employment (2,340 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make? ▼
Where does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay rank nationally? ▼
What state pays Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance the most? ▼
What education do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance need? ▼
Does BLS publish a safety rate for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? ▼
Is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance a good career? ▼
How does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $143,230/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Georgia leads at $143,230/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.