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Salary comparison

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

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances out-earn Childcare Workerss by $62K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances land at $97,150 and Childcare Workerss 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 Performances is Georgia ($143,230); for Childcare Workerss 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)
N/A
N/A
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 Performances or Childcare Workerss?

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

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

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

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 Performances get paid the most?

Georgia is the top-paying state for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performances 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 Performances earn $143,230 vs. $28,020 for Childcare Workerss. 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 Performances by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Childcare Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a makeup artists, theatrical and performanceGuide →How to become a childcare workersGuide →