CDCareer Decision

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in DC have a median annual salary of $95,730, with 60 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $52,000 at the 10th percentile to $111,870 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$95,730

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$46.02

Employment

60

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$52,000
10th
$68,560
25th
$95,730
Median
$95,730
75th
$111,870
90th

Local compared with national

DC

$95,730

Median annual · 2025

United States

$97,150

Median annual · 2025

The DC median is 1.5% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,420).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.6
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  5. 5.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Autodesk Mudbox
  • Blogging software
  • Bookitlive
  • Clear Books
  • Client databases
  • DatInf DigiMakeup
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software

Common tasks

  • Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
  • Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
  • 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.
  • Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in other locations

Other occupations in DC