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Salary comparison

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendants by $65K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance land at $97,150 and Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $32,150. The education gap is real: makeup artists, theatrical and performance programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is Georgia ($143,230); for Amusement and Recreation Attendants it's Alaska ($45,680).

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$97,150
$32,150
Hourly rate
$46.71/hr
$15.46/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$23,360
$22,350
Senior level (90th %)
$167,470
$42,490
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,340
397,830
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
3.4%
Category
Personal Care
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Georgia
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance median pay.

State
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Georgia
$143,230
$26,120
California
$140,870
$37,000
Louisiana
$129,580
$22,680
New York
$97,150
$36,300
District of Columbia
$95,730
$37,960
Florida
$82,400
$30,670

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn more nationally. The median is $97,150 for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance versus $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants, a difference of $65K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Amusement and Recreation Attendants requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance get paid the most?

Georgia is the top-paying state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance at $143,230/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Georgia, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn $143,230 vs. $26,120 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a makeup artists, theatrical and performanceGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →