Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn a median $97,150 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$97,150
$46.71 per hour
Range
$23,360 – $167,470
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
2,340
across the U.S.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$77,175
per year · effective tax rate 20.6%
$6,431Monthly
$3,216Twice a month
$2,968Every 2 weeks
$37.10Hourly
- Federal income tax$12,543
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,023
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,409
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$77,175
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,360 | $11.23 | $20,847 |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 | $29,925 |
| Median (50th) | $97,150 | $46.71 | $77,175 |
| 75th percentile | $143,230 | $68.86 | $109,164 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,470 | $80.51 | $125,732 |
Best cities for makeup artists, theatrical and performance (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $140,870 | $96,848 | $85,279 | 780 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $140,870
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $143,230 | $102,353 | $64,480 – $162,190 | 200 |
| California | $140,870 | $96,848 | $76,340 – $169,590 | 830 |
| Louisiana | $129,580 | $96,333 | $22,200 – $131,970 | — |
| New York | $97,150 | $72,483 | $78,260 – $192,840 | 190 |
| District of Columbia | $95,730 | $71,008 | $52,000 – $111,870 | 60 |
| Florida | $82,400 | $66,798 | $32,040 – $213,850 | 250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a makeup artists, theatrical and performance make?
The national median salary for makeup artists, theatrical and performance is $97,150 a year ($46.71 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $23,360 and the top 10% earn over $167,470. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays makeup artists, theatrical and performance the most?
Georgia has the highest median pay at $143,230. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many makeup artists, theatrical and performance are there in the U.S.?
About 2,340 people work as makeup artists, theatrical and performance nationwide.