Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Also called: 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)
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
What makeup artists, theatrical and performance do
Typical tasks
- 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.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary
The median annual wage for makeup artists, theatrical and performance is $97,150 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $23,360 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $167,470. The mean annual wage is $102,240.
The mean hourly wage of $49.00 is 6.8× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $97,150 → in 3 years $107,300 → in 5 years $114,600 → in 10 years $135,300 (10-year range $116,400–$157,100). The model assumes pay growth of +3.4% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance United States | メイクアップアーティスト Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $97,150 | ¥3.89M ≈ $24,707 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $135,300 | ¥5.34M |
| Outlook score | 81 | 56 |
| AI replacement risk | 15% Very low | 10% Very low |
| Workers | 2,340 | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become makeup artists, theatrical and performance
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.