CDCareer Decision

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in LA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in LA have a median annual salary of $129,580. Recorded earnings range from $22,200 at the 10th percentile to $131,970 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

$129,580

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$62.30

Employment

—

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$22,200
10th
$116,510
25th
$129,580
Median
$131,930
75th
$131,970
90th

Local compared with national

LA

$129,580

Median annual · 2025

United States

$97,150

Median annual · 2025

The LA median is 33.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $32,430).

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 LA