Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is a notable career in the 39 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
Live DataLast updated: ·Source: BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
job zone
3
major group
39
tot emp
3,320
a mean
75,410
a median
50,280
a pct10
22,010
a pct25
28,850
a pct75
132,530
a pct90
157,090
h mean
36
h median
24
Typical Tasks for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
The day-to-day work of a makeup artists, theatrical and performance typically centers on apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.Core
Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.Core
Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.Core
Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.Core
Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.Core
Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.Core
Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.Core
Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.Core
Top Skills for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Workers in this occupation rely most on Speaking, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening. Across the top 9 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.14 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Speaking
3.50
Reading Comprehension
3.25
Active Listening
3.25
Critical Thinking
3.12
Judgment and Decision Making
3.12
Active Learning
3.00
Monitoring
3.00
Coordination
3.00
Social Perceptiveness
3.00
Education & Entry Qualifications
Among working makeup artists, theatrical and performance, the most common entry qualification is a Post (43.5%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 13% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Post
43.5%
Less than a High School Diploma
17.4%
Some College Courses
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree
13.0%
High School Diploma
8.7%
Salary by State — Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Median annual pay is highest in California at $132,890 and lowest in Florida at $43,020 — a 3.1× spread. The top five states (California, Georgia, New York, District of Columbia, Tennessee) average $103,152. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
State
Median
Mean
10th %
90th %
Employed
California
$132,890
$119,410
$50,280
$159,760
—
Georgia
$132,610
$163,770
$46,490
$187,000
80
New York
$100,410
$123,650
$69,730
$205,030
310
District of Columbia
$91,290
$90,030
$44,390
$128,300
80
Tennessee
$58,560
$89,300
$22,670
$151,450
30
Florida
$43,020
$55,600
$30,560
$138,060
380
Also Known As
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for makeup artists, theatrical and performance. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Beauty Advisor or Beauty Therapist frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
Beauty AdvisorBeauty TherapistBody Make-Up ArtistCharacter ArtistCommercial Makeup ArtistHair and Makeup ArtistHair and Makeup DesignerMakeup ArtistMakeup TechnicianMakeup WorkerProsthetic Makeup DesignerSpecial Effects DesignerSpecial Effects Makeup ArtistSpecial Makeup Effects Artist
💡 Why it matters: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
This data helps you understand how Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance compares to others in the 39 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
Key Takeaways
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a job zone of 3.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a tot emp of 3,320.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a a mean of 75,410.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a a median of 50,280.
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The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
✓ Sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements
What is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is a career in the 39 category tracked in our database with detailed statistics and comparisons. Data is sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024).
Where does the data for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance come from?
All data for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024). We verify and cross-reference data to ensure accuracy. Our methodology page explains how we process and validate the data.
What is the job zone of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance?
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a job zone of 3. This metric is one of the key data points tracked for careers in our database. Use our comparison tool to see how this compares to similar careers.
How does the tot emp of Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance compare to average?
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has a tot emp of 3,320. To see how this compares, visit our rankings page or use the comparison tool to compare Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance against similar careers.
How does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance compare to other careers?
You can compare Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance with similar careers using our side-by-side comparison tool. Check the "Similar careers" section on this page for the closest matches based on data values, or visit the compare page for a full analysis.
What other careers are in the 39 category?
There are multiple careers in the 39 category. See the "Related careers" section below for others in the same category, or use the search to browse all 39 careers.
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