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Salary comparison

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance vs. Childcare Workers: Who Earns More?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance out-earn Childcare Workers by $62K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance land at $97,150 and Childcare Workers at $34,980. The education gap is real: makeup artists, theatrical and performance programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while childcare worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance is Georgia ($143,230); for Childcare Workers it's District of Columbia ($47,340).

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Childcare Workers
Median salary
$97,150
$34,980
Hourly rate
$46.71/hr
$16.82/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$23,360
$24,260
Senior level (90th %)
$167,470
$46,010
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,340
518,910
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
-2.9%
Category
Personal Care
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Georgia
District of Columbia

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
Childcare Workers
Georgia
$143,230
$28,020
California
$140,870
$40,020
Louisiana
$129,580
$22,900
New York
$97,150
$37,590
District of Columbia
$95,730
$47,340
Florida
$82,400
$34,210

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Childcare Workers?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn more nationally. The median is $97,150 for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance versus $34,980 for Childcare Workers, a difference of $62K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Childcare Workers?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to -2.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance or Childcare Workers?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Childcare Workers 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. Childcare Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Georgia, Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance earn $143,230 vs. $28,020 for Childcare Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary breakdownView →Full Childcare Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Childcare Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a makeup artists, theatrical and performanceGuide →How to become a childcare workersGuide →