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
$167,470
Top 10% earn
+8.1%
Growth '23–'33
2,340
US workers

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 US workers. Georgia pays the most ($143,230), since pay varies by state and metro area.

39 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
Share: Post LinkedIn

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 2033.

$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.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (SOC 39-5091) pays a national median of $97,150 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $23,360 at the 10th percentile to $167,470 at the 90th, with a mean of $102,240 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 2,340 Americans work in this occupation across 6 reporting states and 5 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +8.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as much faster than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Postsecondary nondegree award. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 2 per 100.

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 top metro is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at $160,190 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 2,340 jobs Median $97,150/yr

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

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

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.

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).

Among 25 39-series occupations with growth data, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $97,150 median pay.

Among 25 39-series occupations with growth data, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $97,150 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $20000$40000$60000$80000$100000$120000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 39-series occupations with growth data, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance sits on the faster-growing side at +8.1% growth and $97,150 median pay.

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)

Typical Education

Postsecondary nondegree award

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

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

Speaking 3.8
Reading Comprehension 3.6
Active Listening 3.5
Critical Thinking 3.3
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3
Active Learning 3.1
Monitoring 3.1
Coordination 3.1
Social Perceptiveness 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.4
English Language 4.1
Fine Arts 3.7
Design 3.5
Communications and Media 3.5
Administration and Management 2.9
Psychology 2.9
Sales and Marketing 2.8
Education and Training 2.8
Chemistry 2.5

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

$23,360$34,530$97,150$143,230$167,470
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$11.23$16.60$46.71$68.86$80.51
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$23,360

25th Percentile

$34,530

Median

$97,150

75th Percentile

$143,230

90th Percentile

$167,470

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Georgia $143,230 2. California $140,870 3. Louisiana $129,580 4. New York $97,150 5. District of Columbia $95,730

Lowest Paying States

2. Florida $82,400 3. District of Columbia $95,730 4. New York $97,150 5. Louisiana $129,580 6. California $140,870
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

1. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $160,190 2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,870 3. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $108,520 4. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,150 5. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $95,730

Lowest Paying Metros

1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $95,730 2. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,150 3. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $108,520 4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,870 5. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $160,190
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

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 39 (personal care and service) with comparable pay and career paths.

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
Compare Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance make? ▼
The median annual salary for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is $97,150 ($46.71/hour). The salary range spans from $23,360 at the 10th percentile to $167,470 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance the most? ▼
Georgia pays the highest median salary for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance at $143,230/year, which is +47% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How dangerous is being a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? ▼
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 1.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 2 per 100 workers.
Is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance a good career? ▼
Employment for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average. About 1,100 openings are projected each year.
How does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay vary by state? ▼
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Georgia at $143,230/year, while California pays the least at $140,870/year. BLS data covers 6 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at $160,190/year. BLS reports wage data for 5 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $143,230/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. 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.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

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.