Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs Manicurists and Pedicurists: $97K vs $36K Median Pay

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs Manicurists and Pedicurists: what changes?

Consider Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance if you want to apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role. Consider Manicurists and Pedicurists if you would rather clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. Both list postsecondary nondegree award; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance and Manicurists and Pedicurists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

National median pay (2025): $97,150
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 600

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (4,300 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance brief

Manicurists and Pedicurists

National median pay (2025): $35,760
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Clean and sanitize tools and work environment.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 21,900

Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Manicurists and Pedicurists brief

How the national numbers differ

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has the edge on median pay

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is at $97,150, compared with $35,760 for Manicurists and Pedicurists.

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on annual openings

Manicurists and Pedicurists is at 21,900 annual openings, compared with 600 annual openings for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.

Typical preparation differs.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: Postsecondary nondegree award Manicurists and Pedicurists: Postsecondary nondegree award Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on projected growth

Manicurists and Pedicurists is at 9.2% projected growth, compared with 6.1% projected growth for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.

54.7/ 100

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

59.6/ 100

Manicurists and Pedicurists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs Manicurists and Pedicurists

Dimension	Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	Manicurists and Pedicurists
Median pay (2025)	$97,150	$35,760
Pay percentile	80.8 percentile	4.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	6.1%	9.2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	600	21,900
2025 employment	4,300	201,800
How you qualify	Postsecondary nondegree award	Postsecondary nondegree award
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 3	Job Zone 2
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance brief Read Manicurists and Pedicurists brief

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs Manicurists and Pedicurists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Manicurists and Pedicurists

How the national numbers differ

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has the edge on median pay

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on annual openings

Typical preparation differs.

Manicurists and Pedicurists has the edge on projected growth

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs Manicurists and Pedicurists

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