Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
The median pay for a makeup artists, theatrical and performance in New York is $97,150/year ($46.71/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $193K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $98,921 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,917/month, about 31.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in New York?
About makeup artists, theatrical and performances
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What this looks like in New York
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance pay in New York tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 0% difference. Rent runs $1,917/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performances (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $193K or more, a $115K spread from bottom to top.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary by metro in New York
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $97K | +0% | 180 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a makeup artists, theatrical and performance afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 32% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/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 New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new makeup artists, theatrical and performances typically earn — is $78K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,696/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 New York?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does New York compare to the national average for makeup artists, theatrical and performances?
New York pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performances make in New York?
The median is $97,150 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,260, and experienced makeup artists, theatrical and performances can clear $192,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,996/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 32% 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 New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (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 $98,921 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.