What Is the Starting Salary for a Makeup Artist?

Starting wages are about $17,000 per year.

Makeup artists are employed by numerous types of businesses across the country. Many professional cosmetologists find work as makeup artists at department store cosmetics counters, beauty shops, performance art theaters, and television and movie sets. Even local TV news stations employ makeup artists to prepare anchor men and women for broadcasts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that your salary as a makeup artist generally grows with experience, offering detailed information related to makeup artist careers and wages.

Cosmetologists

The United States Bureau of Labor statistics categorized all makeup artists -- except for theatrical and performance makeup -- under "Cosmetologists" and "Personal Appearance Workers" in both its May 2010 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and the 2010-11 Occupational Outlook Handbook. According to the documents, the median hourly wage for such workers was $11.13 in May of 2008 and included tips and commission. The lowest earning position holders -- entry level -- made only $7.47 per hour while the highest earners made upward of $20.41. The middle 50 percent of cosmetologists and personal appearance workers surveyed earned salaries ranging from $8.57 to $15.03 an hour.

Industrial Variances

Annual salaries for cosmetologists and personal appearance workers vary considerably according to the particular line of work they are in. In May of 2008, professionals employed by department stores earned a mean annual salary of $21,040, or $10.11 per hour. Those who worked in death care services made $32,360 annually, or $15.56 per hour; a difference of more than $11,000 per year, or $5 per hour. Other areas of employment and corresponding wages include personal care services in which workers earned $26,760 annually; health and personal care store workers made $27,170 and $27,390 yearly for workers of technical and trade schools.

Theatrical and Performance Makeup

Theatrical and performance makeup artists usually work in the entertainment industry and earn significantly higher salaries than general cosmetologists. They typically work on video and movie sets, applying stage or costume makeup to actors and musicians preparing for performances. In May of 2010, BLS reported that the mean hourly wage for makeup artists in theater and performance occupations was $24.51, or $50,980 annually. The lowest reported salary was $8.53 per hour, or $17,740 annually, and the highest was $49.26, or $102,450 annually. The middle earning 50 percent of workers made between $10.68 and $35.66 hourly with a median of $18.33. The median annual mean wage for theatrical makeup artists was $38,130 per year during the reporting period.

Regional Variances

Where you live and work will have a direct impact on how much money you may expect to earn as a theatrical and performance makeup artist. Generally, the best salaries and employment markets for industry professionals are found in areas where multiple theater districts, music, television and movie studios are found. For instance, BLS reports that the average mean salary for makeup artists in Ohio, Nevada and Texas ranges between $34,650 and $42,860 per year. In New York and California -- where vast varieties of production companies exist -- wages are as high as $77,420 annually.

Employment Variances

The type of artists and employers you work with might also considerably affect your earnings. According to BLS, makeup artists working in arcades and amusement parks made $19.17 per hour, or $39,870 annually. Those employed by performing arts companies made over 30 percent more at $30.31 per hour, or $63,040 annually. The highest paid industry professionals were employed in motion picture and video industries and earned $38.58 hourly, or $80,250 per year.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance -- May 2010
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance -- 2010-11 Edition
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Resources

• Education-Portal: Singers: Make-Up Artist Education Requirements and Career Information