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Personal Care and Service

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
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Median pay

$50,280
Median annual pay for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

8.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

7,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education needed to enter Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Fine Arts
  4. 4Communications and Media
  5. 5Design
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Visual Color Discrimination
  6. 6Finger Dexterity

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Innovation
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Social Orientation
  5. 5Adaptability
  6. 6Cooperation

Work activities

  1. 1Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  2. 2Thinking Creatively
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Work context

  1. 1Physical Proximity
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3E-Mail
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Time Pressure

Representative 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.

Software and tools

Adobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyIntuit QuickBooks · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologySavingFacePixologic ZbrushInstagramEmail softwareDatInf DigiMakeupClient databases

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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