How Much Do Makeup Artists Make a Year?

Makeup artists work with actors performing either live or on camera.

Makeup artists typically work with performers, models, and actors, applying makeup to change a client's appearance to match the occasion or performance role. The amount a makeup artist can make depends on numerous factors, including the amount of experience the area of the country in which the makeup artist works.

National Breakdown

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that as of May 2009, 1,930 makeup artists were employed nationwide. The pay range for makeup artists varies greatly nationwide, with the top ten percent making more than $94,500 per year and the bottom ten percent making less than $16,450 per year. The twenty-fifth percentile of makeup artists make $19,980 per year. The fiftieth percentile makes $31,450 per year. The seventy-fifth percentile of makeup artists earn $61,230 per year.

State Breakdown

California, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, comes out as the state where makeup artists earn the highest mean salary, which is $72,290. Makeup artists working in New York earn a mean salary of $62,570 per year, while those working in Connecticut earn a mean salary of $43,960. Coming in fourth for mean salary are makeup artists working in Nevada, who earn a mean of $38,420 per year. Makeup artists earn a mean salary of $37,440 per year.

Metropolitan Area Breakdown

The mean annual salary of makeup artists varies greatly, even among the top five metropolitan areas in the country. Coming in at number one are makeup artists who work in the Los Angeles area, where the mean salary is $83,260. Makeup artists working in the greater New York City area earn the second-highest mean salary of $67,160, while makeup artists working in the greater San Francisco area came next with a mean salary of $62,560. Makeup artists working in the Cleveland, Ohio area earn the fourth-highest mean salary of $46,560 per year, while those working in the Las Vegas, Nevada area earn the fifth-highest with $39,060 of annual income.

Employers Breakdown

The two industries that employ the greatest numbers of makeup artists also pay the highest mean salaries. The motion picture and video industry pays the top mean salary to makeup artists at $85,930 per year. The next highest mean salary is from makeup artists working in the performing arts industry, making $56,570 per year. Makeup artists working in the personal care services industry make a mean salary of $26,910.

References

• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance