Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
The median pay for a makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is $160,190/year ($77.01/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.06), that's roughly $160,094 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,820/month, or 18.7% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $160K get you in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell’s Regional Price Parity (100.06). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About makeup artists, theatrical and performances
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What this looks like in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell sits well above the national pay line for makeup artists, theatrical and performance, local pay runs about 65% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,820/month, 19.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 100.06) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell offers a genuinely strong financial position for makeup artists, theatrical and performances at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for makeup artists, theatrical and performances in metros near Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $109K | $107K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performances (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $160K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $98K spread from bottom to top.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $143K | +47% | 200 |
| California | $141K | +45% | 830 |
| Louisiana | $130K | +33% | N/A |
| New York | $97K | +0% | 190 |
| District of Columbia | $96K | -1% | 60 |
| Florida | $82K | -15% | 250 |
Track makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a makeup artists, theatrical and performance afford a 2BR apartment alone in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Yes — at the median salary of $160K, rent takes 19.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,820/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for makeup artists, theatrical and performances in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new makeup artists, theatrical and performances typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,869/month. At HUD’s $1,820/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is makeup artists, theatrical and performance a high-paying job in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Local pay is 65% above the national median — $160K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell compare to the national average for makeup artists, theatrical and performances?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell pays $160K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +65%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $160K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performances make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median is $160,190 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,480, and experienced makeup artists, theatrical and performances can clear $162,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $160K enough to live in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,325/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,820/month, which eats 19.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary go in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has a Regional Price Parity of 100.06 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary is worth about $160,094 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do makeup artists, theatrical and performances get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.