How Much Do Makeup Artists Make? 2025 Salary Guide

A makeup artist is a talented person who makes people look better using makeup, creating styles for events like weddings, photo sessions, or daily beauty. They know lots of ways to do makeup, from simple, natural looks to dramatic, magazine-like ones, matching each style to what the client wants. Makeup artists use top-notch products to make sure the makeup looks great and stays on. Working with brides, models, or regular people, they mix creativity with careful work. They focus on what clients need, giving personal touches that highlight uniqueness while changing looks with skill and care for any occasion or style.

U.S. job experts say makeup artist jobs for shows will likely grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, about average for all jobs. Jobs for barbers and hairstylists should grow faster, 7%, as people keep seeking professional grooming and beauty services.

Average Makeup Artist Salaries

#1. General Salary Overview

Hourly Rate: National makeup artist’s hourly rate is around $25-$30 per hour. Indeed reports $29.71/hour as of May 5, 2025, while $25.29/hour as of May 3, 2025.
Annual Salary: It estimates a median total pay of $51,505/year and $45,055/year as the overall U.S. average.

The numbers don’t always match up because of how the information was collected – like if the workers themselves gave the numbers, or if the companies they work for did. It also depends on if extra money from tips, commissions, and benefits were included.

#2. Specific Salary Data by Specialization

Freelance Makeup Artists

Freelance makeup artists get flexibility but handle their own marketing, taxes, and benefits. Glassdoor says the average pay is about $44,863 a year. Experienced freelance makeup artist earnings can be over $60,896 a year.

Mortuary Makeup Artists

Mortuary makeup artists help get deceased people ready for viewings. This work needs care and special techniques. These makeup artists usually make about $25.29 an hour. That adds up to roughly $52,600 a year if they work full-time. Independent contractors who work on deceased individuals often get paid per job. For example, some California funeral homes get around $60 for each case they handle.

Theatrical & Performance Makeup Artists

Makeup artists who work on shows and performances, like for theater, TV, or movies, earn about $59,097 a year on average. But the very top makeup artist’s salary is over $228,621 each year. They usually reach these high earnings by working on big projects like major films, popular television series, and large stage shows.

#3. Celebrity Makeup Artists

As a makeup artist working with celebrities, you can command premium rates for a single day’s work. While the average makeup artist’s salary is approximately $25 per hour, top professionals who regularly style major stars often charge $1,000 or more per day. Those with extensive high-profile clientele and beauty brand endorsements can surpass $250,000 annually. Success at this level depends on building a strong reputation and securing consistent work with prominent figures.

#4. Entry-Level Makeup Artists

If you are planning to be a makeup artist, an entry-level makeup artist’s salary is about $25.29 per hour, which sums up to $52,600 each year. To make more money as you go along, it’s super important to keep getting better at your skills and create a strong portfolio.

Factors Influencing Makeup Artist Salaries

#1. Geographical Location

The amount a makeup artist makes really depends on where they live and work. A place called New Brunswick, New Jersey, pays the most for this job, about $63,367 a year. Washington State is also a high-paying place, at around $59,581 a year. States like California and New York also have higher pay than most places in the country. This often happens because it’s more expensive to live in those areas, and there are more jobs for makeup artists. Indeed, information also shows that states near the ocean tend to pay the best.

#2. Experience and Skill Level

The more experience makeup artists get, the more they can usually earn. Artists just beginning can work their way up to higher-paying jobs or roles on film sets, where they could make $35 to $70 per hour. They achieve this by becoming experts in techniques like airbrushing or special effects and by building good connections with people in the business.

#3. Different Clientele

Working with big clients, like movie studios, wedding groups, or famous people, means you can charge higher prices. Weddings and special events often have package deals that can make you a lot more money than just getting paid by the hour at a salon. Getting hired again for weddings and proms during the busy times of the year can really help you earn more money in a whole year.

#4. Seasonal Variations

Certain times of the year are super busy for makeup artists, like spring and summer for weddings, or during proms and fashion events. When demand is high, artists can charge higher prices or create special packages of services. But in slower months, like winter, they might need to offer discounts or do different types of work, such as makeup for photoshoots or magazines, so they still have a steady income.

Career Tips for Maximizing Earnings

#1. Pricing Your Services

Charge for Time & Extras: Charge a standard amount for each hour you work, and add extra fees for things like traveling to the location, doing touch-ups later, or using expensive makeup.
Offer Different Price Levels: Have different price levels. This is so clients with different amounts of money to spend can choose something, and you can also offer them more advanced options.
Use Paperwork & Get a Deposit: Make bookings official with written papers that everyone signs. Also, ask for payment upfront that the client won’t get back if they cancel. This helps make sure you get paid.

#2. Building a Client Base

Get Recommendations & Reviews: Offer a small discount or perk to clients who send new customers to you. Also, ask happy clients to write reviews online to show others you’re trustworthy.
Be Active on Social Media: Make your Instagram and TikTok pages look great! Use them to show before-and-after pictures of your work, fun videos of what happens behind the scenes, and what happy clients say.
Work with Others: Team up with people like photographers, wedding planners, or online influencers. This helps you reach new people who could become your clients.

#3. Diversifying Income Streams

Special Training: Get certified in special areas like airbrush makeup or makeup for movies/funerals. This can help you charge more for your skills!
Go to Events: Go to big beauty shows and local events to meet people, learn new styles, and get noticed.
Never Stop Learning: Keep learning by watching top makeup artists, using online videos, and taking advanced classes to get better at what you do and learn about new products.

#4. Professional Development

Special Training: Get certified in special areas like airbrush makeup or makeup for movies/funerals. This can help you charge more for your skills!
Go to Events: Go to big beauty shows and local events to meet people, learn new styles, and get noticed.
Never Stop Learning: Keep learning by watching top makeup artists, using online videos, and taking advanced classes to get better at what you do and learn about new products.

Tools for Business Success

#1. Importance of Business Management

Money Tracking: Use software like Salonist to keep track of the money you earn, the money you spend, and your taxes.
Booking & Client Help: Use booking apps to handle appointments, talk to your clients, and send them automatic reminders.

#2. Role of Technology

Digital Photos: Keep your website and Instagram pages updated like a digital photo album to show off your latest work!
Book & Pay Online: Let clients book appointments and pay a deposit safely online – it’s super easy for them!
Check Your Stats: Watch how many people visit your website, see how people like your social media posts, and check how many visitors actually book. This helps you see what marketing works best!

#3. Benefits of a Professional Website

Imagine a sales assistant that never sleeps – that’s what a great website is for a makeup artist! It’s always ready to show off your amazing services, pricing, your portfolio of work, glowing reviews from clients, and how people can reach you. This means more people looking for makeup artists will find you, leading to more messages and bookings!

Conclusion

A job as a makeup artist is fun and exciting, letting you make people look great and work in cool places, like neighborhood salons, movie sets, or with famous stars. On average, makeup artists make $25-$30 an hour, which adds up to about $45,000-$62,000 a year. Those who are great at special skills, like monster makeup, can earn even more. Your pay depends on things like where you live, how much experience you have, who your clients are, and busy times, like wedding season.

To make more money and have a lasting career, makeup artists can try smart ideas: charging fair prices, building a group of regular clients, finding different ways to earn, keeping their skills sharp, and using tools like a cool website. These steps help them do well financially and enjoy their work.