Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary
The median pay for a makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $95,730/year ($46.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $87,922 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month, about 37.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $96K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria tracks closely to the national median, $96K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 1% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,246/month, which is 38.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performances (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $87K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
Can a makeup artists, theatrical and performance afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $96K, rent takes 38.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new makeup artists, theatrical and performances typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,120/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 72% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $96K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for makeup artists, theatrical and performances?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $96K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $88K — below the national median.
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performances make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $95,730 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,000, and experienced makeup artists, theatrical and performances can clear $138,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,870/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 38.3% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $87,922 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.