Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 6 states with BLS data.
202% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 6 states • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance spans from $54,220 at entry-level to $163,718 at senior level — a difference of $109,498 per year.
Senior Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances earn $109,498 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $54,220 | $4,518 | $26.07 |
| Early Career | P25 | $89,962 | $7,497 | $43.25 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $114,827 | $9,569 | $55.21 |
| Experienced | P75 | $137,963 | $11,497 | $66.33 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $163,718 | $13,643 | $78.71 |
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $54,220 to $163,718. This 202% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.
Entry-level Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances (10th percentile) earn approximately $54,220 per year, or $4,518 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $89,962. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances (90th percentile) earn approximately $163,718 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $137,963. This represents a career premium of 202% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances is 202%. Entry-level professionals start at $54,220, while senior-level can earn up to $163,718 — a difference of $109,498 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances is Florida, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $213,850 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. National averages are computed across 6 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS