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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Creates looks for film, theater, TV, weddings and photo shoots.

Typical education to startPostsecondary nondegree award
Job outlook2025–2035: +6%
Median pay$97,150 a year (2025)
Interest codeAR Artistic, Realistic

Read the full guide

Makeup artists design and apply makeup for performers, brides, models and TV hosts, and special effects artists create wounds, aging and creatures. Most work freelance.

Open the makeup artist guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Music Theory · Arts

    Builds art and music, which this job uses.

  • Child Development · Career and Technical

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds working with customers and clients, which this job uses.

  • Psychology · Social Studies

    Builds psychology, which this job uses.

  • Chemistry · Science

    Builds chemistry, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.