Personal Care & Service
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Also called: Commercial Makeup Artist (Commercial MUA), Hair and Makeup Designer, Makeup Artist (MUA), Prosthetic Makeup Designer
US median pay
$97,150
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.1%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
600
4,300 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Management of Financial Resources2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Fine Arts3.7/5
- Design3.5/5
- Communications and Media3.5/5
- Psychology2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma33%
- Post-secondary certificate29%
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.