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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in District of Columbia

Want to work as a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in District of Columbia? Here’s what you need to know. Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

What do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Make in District of Columbia?

For a makeup artists, theatrical and performance working in District of Columbia, wages run about $91,290 per year (or about $43.89/hour).Pay can range from $44,390 at the 10th percentile to $128,300 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$44,390	$21.34
25th percentile	$81,210	$39.04
Median (50th)	$91,290	$43.89
75th percentile	$92,100	$44.28
90th percentile	$128,300	$61.68

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in District of Columbia compared to the national average — is 4.92, suggesting that makeup artists, theatrical and performance are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, makeup artists, theatrical and performance earn a median of $36,599 per year ($17.60/hour), exceeding the District of Columbia median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 237,220 makeup artists, theatrical and performance across the United States. In District of Columbia alone, approximately 80 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 80.

Top District of Columbia Metros for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

The metro areas below employ the most makeup artists, theatrical and performance in District of Columbia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	90	$91,290

Top States for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Employment

These states have the highest employment of makeup artists, theatrical and performance work.

State	Number Employed
Florida	380
New York	310
District of Columbia	80
Georgia	80
Pennsylvania	50
Tennessee	30

Highest-Paying States for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

These states pay the most for makeup artists, theatrical and performance.

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

Skills

The most important makeup artists, theatrical and performance skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for makeup artists, theatrical and performance, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance typically:

• 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.
• Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
• Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.

Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Scheduling Work and Activities
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
• Developing and Building Teams

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Cosmetology

Related Careers

Other careers like makeup artists, theatrical and performance include:

• Craft Artists
• Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Fashion Designers
• Floral Designers
• Graphic Designers

Also Known As

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), Eyelash Technician (Eyelash Tech), Hair and Makeup Artist, Hair and Makeup Designer, Lash Artist (Eyelash Artist), Makeup Artist (MUA), Makeup Technician (Makeup Tech), Makeup Worker.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-5091.00