Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
The median pay for a makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Georgia is $143,230/year ($68.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $155,871 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 16.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $143K get you in Georgia?
About makeup artists, theatrical and performances
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What this looks like in Georgia
Georgia sits well above the national pay line for makeup artists, theatrical and performance, local pay runs about 47% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,434/month, 17% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Georgia offers a genuinely strong financial position for makeup artists, theatrical and performances at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Georgia
Entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performances (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $143K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $98K spread from bottom to top.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary by metro in Georgia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $160K | +12% | 140 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a makeup artists, theatrical and performance afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
Yes — at the median salary of $143K, rent takes 17% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for makeup artists, theatrical and performances in Georgia?
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 $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Georgia?
Local pay is 47% above the national median — $143K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for makeup artists, theatrical and performances?
Georgia pays $143K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +47%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $156K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performances make in Georgia?
The median is $143,230 a year, that works out to about $69 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,480, and experienced makeup artists, theatrical and performances can clear $162,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $143K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 17% 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 Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary is worth about $155,871 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.