Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Makeup artists for theatrical and performance settings work in a specialized creative field that combines artistry, technical skill, and close collaboration with others. Nationally, employment stands at 7,000, with projected growth of 8.1%, indicating a growing number of roles over time. The national median annual salary of $50,280 shows that earnings can be meaningful, and state and metro data suggest there is potential for significantly higher pay in certain locations. This career draws on creativity and innovation, fine motor skills, and strong interpersonal and customer-service abilities. It can also call for leadership, project management, and physical strength and stamina. With an education path that typically requires a postsecondary nondegree award, this role offers a structured route into a performance-focused career. For people interested in artistic work that connects directly with audiences and performers, the combination of growth, defined training, and varied skill use makes this a compelling option to explore.
Nationally, theatrical and performance makeup artists earn a median annual salary of $50,280, but earnings vary widely by location. Several states stand out with much higher median salaries, including Georgia at $143,230, California at $140,870, and New York at $97,150. Florida also offers a higher median salary of $82,400 than the national figure. At the metro level, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell shows the highest median salary at $160,190, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at $140,870, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford at $108,520, and New York-Newark-Jersey City at $97,150. These numbers suggest that relocating or targeting specific regions can significantly influence earning potential. For individuals considering this career, it may be useful to compare local pay levels with these higher-paying states and metro areas when planning where to train, network, or seek roles.
Theatrical and performance makeup artists have national employment of 7,000, with a projected employment growth rate of 8.1%. This indicates that the total number of positions is expected to increase over time. With 1,000 annual openings, there are recurring opportunities for new entrants as well as experienced professionals seeking new roles. The consistent 8.1% growth figure also appears in several top states and metro areas listed, suggesting that projected growth is broadly aligned across many regions rather than being concentrated in just one or two markets. For students and job seekers, these data points together suggest an occupation where new positions and replacement openings should regularly arise. While competition and day-to-day hiring conditions will vary by location and employer, the combination of current employment, measurable projected growth, and identifiable annual openings supports a forward-looking career path for those who build the required skills.
Location makes a substantial difference in opportunity for theatrical and performance makeup artists. Among states, California and New York combine relatively high employment (830 and 190) with strong median salaries ($140,870 and $97,150) and the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores (67.38 and 65.78). Georgia shows a very high median salary of $143,230 with 200 employed and an opportunity score of 41.49, while Florida offers a median salary of $82,400, employment of 250, and an opportunity score of 36.20. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City leads in opportunity score at 77.27, pairing a $97,150 median salary with 180 employed. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has the largest metro employment at 780 and a $140,870 median salary, with an opportunity score of 62.99. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell stands out for a $160,190 median salary, while Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford offers $108,520 and 160 employed. Comparing these figures can help you weigh pay, employment concentration, and overall opportunity when choosing where to focus a job search.
The typical education requirement for theatrical and performance makeup artists is a postsecondary nondegree award. This indicates that focused, career-oriented training—rather than a full college degree—is the standard pathway into the field. Within that training, several key skill areas stand out as especially important. Creativity and innovation and fine motor skills support the core artistic and technical aspects of applying makeup for performances. Interpersonal, speaking and listening, and customer-service skills matter because the role involves working closely with performers and other team members. Project management and leadership suggest that makeup artists may need to organize their work efficiently and coordinate with others. Science knowledge, along with physical strength and stamina, can also play a role in meeting the practical demands of the job. Together, these skills and the accessible education requirement create a clear, skills-based route into this specialized performance career.
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