Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
SOC: 39-5091 O*NET: 39-5091.00
Median Salary
$50,280
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
What does a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$22,010
10th percentile
Early Career
$28,850
25th percentile
Median
$50,280
50th percentile
Experienced
$132,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$157,090
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$22,010
25th
$28,850
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,280
Mean: $75,410
75th
$132,530
90th
$157,090
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $135,080 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $28,850 and $132,530
- •Salary spread is 206.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 3,320 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,000
Top Industries
Information38%
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries34.9%
Motion Picture and Video Industries34.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+8.1%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)7,000
Current
2034 (Projected)7,600
+8.1%
+600
Employment Change
+8.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance professionals work across the United States
Showing 7 of 7 locations
Florida
380 jobs$43,0201.78x
New York
310 jobs$100,4101.49x
Georgia
80 jobs$132,6100.75x
District of Columbia
80 jobs$91,2904.92x
Pennsylvania
50 jobs$00.36x
Tennessee
30 jobs$58,5600.43x
California
0 jobs$132,8900.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Reading Comprehension
94%
#5
Oral Comprehension
92%
#6
Active Listening
86%
#7
English Language
86%
#8
Visual Color Discrimination
82%
#9
Critical Thinking
80%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
English Language
intermediate4.3
86%
Visual Color Discrimination
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Visual Color Discrimination
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Fine Arts
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Archivists82%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Range Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Monitoring
- →Communications and Media
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (3)General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (1)
1
Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform86%
9
Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance professionals typically have a ARS Holland code and highly value relationships
AArtistic
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.90
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.90
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.81
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.67
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.8
Cooperation
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Social Orientation
4.4
Concern for Others
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Persistence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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