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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: Career Overview
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
The Daily Work of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of makeup artists, theatrical and performance include:
- 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.
What Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Need to Know
Effective makeup artists, theatrical and performance draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Beauty Advisor
- Beauty Specialist
- Beauty Stylist
- Beauty Therapist
- Body Make-Up Artist (Body MUA)
- Certified Technician (Certified Tech)
- Character Artist
- Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA)
Employment and Demand
There are about 237,220 makeup artists, theatrical and performance working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +6.7% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $36,599 |
| Hourly median | $17.60 |
| 10th percentile | $24,523 |
| 25th percentile | $30,561 |
| 75th percentile | $42,637 |
| 90th percentile | $48,675 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $132,890 |
| Georgia | $132,610 |
| New York | $100,410 |
| District of Columbia | $91,290 |
| Tennessee | $58,560 |
| Florida | $43,020 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for makeup artists, theatrical and performance vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $87,341 | 47.3% | 1.99 |
| Southeast | $58,598 | 52.7% | 1.53 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | GA | $133,050 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $132,900 | |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $99,650 | 290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $91,290 | 90 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | FL | $61,270 | 50 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | FL | $43,020 | 250 |
Which Industries Hire Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Most makeup artists, theatrical and performance are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Information | 1,260 | $132,850 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 350 | $43,020 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 160 | $119,820 |
| Educational Services | 50 | $34,470 |
Below are examples of industries where makeup artists, theatrical and performance work:
Software Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Use
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of makeup artists, theatrical and performance reflects the following characteristics:
- Physical Proximity
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Education and Training
Typical makeup artists, theatrical and performance positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Craft Artists (Primary-Long)
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (Primary-Long)
- Special Effects Artists and Animators (Supplemental)
- Fashion Designers (Primary-Long)
- Floral Designers (Supplemental)
- Graphic Designers (Supplemental)
- Photographers (Supplemental)
- Costume Attendants (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for makeup artists, theatrical and performance commonly pursue programs in:
Personal and Culinary Services
3 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 39-5091.00 (Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance).
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