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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in Los Angeles, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in Los Angeles, CA have a median annual salary of $140,870, with 780 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $76,340 at the 10th percentile to $169,590 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

$140,870

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$67.73

Employment

780

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$76,340
10th
$135,060
25th
$140,870
Median
$143,450
75th
$169,590
90th

Local compared with national

Los Angeles, CA

$140,870

Median annual · 2025

United States

$97,150

Median annual · 2025

The Los Angeles, CA median is 45.0% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $43,720).

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 Los Angeles, CA