National Wages

• The mean hourly wage for U.S.-based makeup artists who worked in the performance industry was $24.51 as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual income for film makeup artists from across the country was $38,130. The top 10 percent of film makeup artists earned in excess of $102,450 per year, while the bottom 10 percent earned annual wages of less than $17,740. The middle 50 percent of film makeup artists earned between $22,200 and $74,160 per year.
  
  

Regional Wages

• Most film makeup artists work in geographic areas where the film industry is concentrated. The state of California reported more performance makeup artists than any other state as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Makeup artists who worked in California earned a mean hourly wage of $36.47 and a median annual income of $73,950. A significant number of makeup artists worked in New York state where they earned a mean hourly wage of $37.22 and a median annual income of $75,080.
  
  

Industry

• The motion picture and video industries were the primary employers of film makeup artists as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Makeup artists who worked in the motion picture or video industry earned the highest mean annual wages for their employment category at $80,250. Makeup artists who worked for performing arts companies earned a mean annual wage of $63,040 and those who worked in amusement part settings earned mean wages of $39,870 per year.
  
  

Considerations

• There were a limited number of jobs for film makeup artists as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth in new job opportunities for film makeup artists should increase by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, but because the employment category is so small even the high growth rate won't create many jobs. Makeup artists who have formal training and experience should have the greatest job opportunities. Most jobs are located in regions with a major film presence such as Los Angeles and New York.