Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$50,280
↓ 5.3% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew -5.3% since 2011 ($53,090 → $50,280)
🏆Peak year: 2021 at $134,750
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 41.2% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -36%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50,280 | +6.1% |
| 2023 | $47,390 | -50.8% |
| 2022 | $96,370 | -28.5% |
| 2021 | $134,750 | +26.0% |
| 2020 | $106,920 | +41.2% |
| 2019 | $75,730 | +17.9% |
| 2018 | $64,250 | +8.3% |
| 2017 | $59,300 | -2.7% |
| 2016 | $60,970 | +14.5% |
| 2015 | $53,230 | +20.1% |
| 2014 | $44,310 | -6.1% |
| 2013 | $47,210 | -26.7% |
| 2012 | $64,450 | +21.4% |
| 2011 | $53,090 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.