Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for makeup artists, theatrical and performance is $97,150, or $46.71 per hour. About 2,340 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $143,230 in Georgia to $82,400 in Florida.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 6 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $143,230 | $68.86 | 200 | 2.67 |
| 2 | California | $140,870 | $67.73 | 830 | 3.03 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $129,580 | $62.30 | — | — |
| 4 | New York | $97,150 | $46.71 | 190 | 1.32 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $95,730 | $46.02 | 60 | 5.90 |
| 6 | Florida | $82,400 | $39.62 | 250 | 1.68 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performance make?
The median annual wage for makeup artists, theatrical and performance in the United States is $97,150, or $46.71 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $23,360, and the top 10% earn $167,470.
How many makeup artists, theatrical and performance are employed in the U.S.?
About 2,340 people work as makeup artists, theatrical and performance nationwide.
Which state pays makeup artists, theatrical and performance the most?
Georgia pays the most at a median of $143,230, followed by California ($140,870) and Louisiana ($129,580).
Which state pays makeup artists, theatrical and performance the least?
Florida has the lowest median at $82,400.
Where are makeup artists, theatrical and performance jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is District of Columbia at 5.90×.