travel and lifestyle | May 26, 2026

How much money can you make as a freelance makeup artist?

National Average
Salary Range (Percentile)
25th 75th
Annual Salary $43,000 $51,500
Monthly Salary $3,583 $4,292
Weekly Salary $827 $990

.

Also, do Makeup artists make a lot of money?

The national mean annual salary for makeup artists was $63,710 as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent of makeup artists earned at least $120,050 per year, while the bottom 10 percent made $20,490 or less. The middle 50 percent earned annual wages of between $27,740 and $88,550.

Likewise, how much should I charge as a makeup artist? On average, a professional makeup artist can cost between $90 and $475 nationwide, depending on the services you select. For different event styles, makeup application can require more or less products, time and expertise, and therefore, costs vary significantly. Bridal makeup generally demands the highest rates.

Also know, how much does a makeup artist make per month?

Salary: The average hourly rate is $32.49 and annual salary is $67,580. Depending on who you work for, you can make up to $117,000. However, remember that you have to start off small to build your reputation.

Who is the highest paid makeup artist?

Here is a list of the top five most famous make up artists in the world of fashion today.

  1. 1 Gucci Westman.
  2. 2 Tom Pecheux.
  3. 3 Pat McGrath.
  4. 4 Charlie Green. She is considered the Betsey Johnson of the make up artists' world.
  5. 5 Sam Fine. This African American is one of the highest paid make up artists in the world today.
Related Question Answers

How do I start a career in makeup?

Starting with
  1. Practice. Practice.
  2. Research the makeup masters who've come before you.
  3. Get a Formal Education.
  4. Get online and market yourself.
  5. No matter what, don't overdo it on the fangirling.
  6. Take any job you can and bring your best attitude.
  7. Love your job.
  8. Wear flats.

Is makeup artist a good career option?

Makeup artists typically work on short-term jobs with long periods of unemployment between them. Makeup artists earn a median annual salary of $53,230. Even though these results indicate makeup artist is a good career choice for you, you should still learn all you can about it before you make a final decision.

How do freelance makeup artist make money?

Freelance at a Makeup Counter. Start a Makeup Line or sell Multi-Level Marketing cosmetics. Work at a Hair Salon. Work at a Day Spa.

How do makeup artists get rich?

Attend a cosmetology school that includes makeup application courses taught by professional makeup artists. A certification can give you an advantage over others when applying for a job. Learn on your own. Study the basic techniques of successful professionals and use the makeup applications you are inspired by.

Where do makeup artists work?

Here are eight places where makeup artists find fulfilling work.
  • Movies, Television and Film Industry.
  • Theatre and Live Performances.
  • Rockin' On in the Music Industry.
  • Amusement Parks, Baseball Stadiums, and Other Attractions.
  • Executives, Business Leaders, Politicians and Other Public People.

How do you become a famous makeup artist?

How to become a celebrity makeup artist
  1. Enroll on a makeup course. monikablunder.
  2. Look to retail jobs to learn about makeup. Look to retail and in-store makeup counters to get some hands-on experience.
  3. Assist as much as possible.
  4. Stock up with your favorite high-street brands:
  5. Stay professional.
  6. Do your research.
  7. Always ask permission and respect privacy.

How much do they pay at Mac?

Average MAC Cosmetics hourly pay ranges from approximately $22.00 per hour for Store Manager to $25.00 per hour for Third Key Manager.

How much does a TV makeup artist earn?

Industry Salaries Movie makeup artists earned an average of $88,200 a year — the highest wage for this occupation. Those working for performing arts companies, on the other hand, were a far second, averaging almost $61,000 a year.

How long is makeup artist school?

Makeup Artist Courses Usually, they are part of a cosmetology school's curriculum. Becoming a licensed cosmetologist can take about eight months if you attend school full-time. Should you decide to attend school on a part-time basis, the program could take up to two years.

How do I get MUA certified?

  1. Make-Up Artist Career Info. Make-up artists apply make-up to performers and other clients.
  2. Complete Formal Training. Formal cosmetology education is typically required for state licensure, and several training options are available to aspiring make-up artists.
  3. Become Licensed.
  4. Gain Experience.
  5. Keep Up on Trends.

What subjects do you need to be a makeup artist?

Makeup artists must have at least a high school diploma or GED, and most have also taken college courses or earned a certificate in cosmetology. It is also possible to learn makeup skills on the job. Some jobs require you to be licensed, however, and licensing requirements vary from state to state.

How much is a celebrity makeup artist?

Annual Wages Celebrity Net Worth estimates the average annual salary is $85,930. This is almost double that of regular makeup artists, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics says made $45,010 per year as of May 2009.

What do makeup artists do?

A makeup artist is someone who uses cosmetic techniques and processes to create beauty upon the human body. In its simplest form, it enhances a person's appearance, bringing out color and features and hiding or smoothing out flaws, using cosmetic products. The other main type is theatrical and film makeup artist.

How much do models get paid?

A Model gets an average salary of around 32000 to 48000 based on levels of tenure. Models earn a wage of Forty Nine Thousand Two Hundred dollars on an annual basis. Models make the most money in California, where they earn average pay levels of close to $42180.

How much does a nail tech make?

How Much Does a Nail Technician Make? Nail Technicians made a median salary of $24,330 in 2018. The best-paid 25 percent made $28,260 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $21,940.

How much does Sephora pay their employees?

Sephora Inc. pays its employees an average of $14.57 an hour. Hourly pay at Sephora Inc. ranges from an average of $10.64 to $25.50 an hour.

What do makeup artists charge per hour?

The average hourly rate for such positions runs about $20 per hour. As a personal care makeup artist, you can work with individual customers in your area, providing personalized makeup services in their homes. This industry has the lowest average hourly rate, paying around $15.00 per hour.

How long does full face makeup take?

Full make-up takes me about 20 minutes. That's including primer, foundation, powder, blush, eyebrows, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. I did my makeup for a semi formal military christmas party last night in about half an hour. Usually a basic face of makeup takes me less than 15-20 minutes.

How much does a full makeup kit cost?

The average cost of a makeup bag (not including the bag itself) of a working professional is about $413.58. Although you may think you only need one mascara, one foundation or one of each staple item, the reason why the cost of beauty racks up is because there are multiples of items, like lipsticks and eye shadows.