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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$50,280	1200	9.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$50,280

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

1200

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

9.4%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration

Detailed Work Activities

Collaborate with others to determine production details.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Manage budgets for personal services operations.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
Assess skin or hair conditions.
Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Prepare operational reports or records.
Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
Design costumes or cosmetic effects for characters.
Design costumes or cosmetic effects for characters.
Collaborate with others to determine production details.
Review production information to determine costume or makeup requirements.
Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
Groom wigs or hairpieces.
Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
Teach health or hygiene practices.
Clean equipment or supplies.
Clean tools or equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.
Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.
Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files.
Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.
Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
Wash and reset wigs.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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