Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Median pay: $97,150/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +8.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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's the median pay for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
The median pay for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is $97,150 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
Employment for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is projected to change +8.1% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.
What education is typically required for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.