Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
The median pay for a makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $140,870/year ($67.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $170K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $124,038 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month, about 31.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $141K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim’s Regional Price Parity (113.57). 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim sits well above the national pay line for makeup artists, theatrical and performance, local pay runs about 45% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $2,601/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 14% above the national average (BEA RPP 113.57), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performances (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $141K. Top earners bring in $170K or more, a $93K 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a makeup artists, theatrical and performance afford a 2BR apartment alone in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $141K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,601/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for makeup artists, theatrical and performances in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new makeup artists, theatrical and performances typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,580/month. At HUD’s $2,601/month FMR, rent would take 57% 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Local pay is 45% above the national median — $141K here vs. $97K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 14% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim compare to the national average for makeup artists, theatrical and performances?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim pays $141K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +45%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 113.57), the purchasing-power equivalent is $124K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performances make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $140,870 a year, that works out to about $68 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,340, and experienced makeup artists, theatrical and performances can clear $169,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $141K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,150/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month, which eats 31.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (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 $124,038 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.