Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Also called: Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA) · Hair and Makeup Designer · Makeup Artist (MUA) · Prosthetic Makeup Designer · Special Effects Makeup Artist (Special Effects MUA) · Special Makeup Effects Artist
Median pay (national)
$50,280
$22,010–$157,090 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
3,320
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+8.1%
~1,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Postsecondary nondegree award
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for makeup artists, theatrical and performance shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $157,090 versus $22,010 at the bottom 10% — 7.1x. The median of $50,280 leaves roughly 212% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +8.1% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 6 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $132,890, +164% vs the national median), while Florida sits lowest at $43,020 — a 209% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
Tools & technology
- Adobe Photoshop
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Appointment scheduling software
- Autodesk Maya
- Autodesk Mudbox
- Blogging software
- Bookitlive
- Clear Books
- Client databases
- DatInf DigiMakeup
- Pixologic Zbrush
- SavingFace
- Web browser software
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Fine Arts
- Design
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Sales and Marketing