Updated 2024.
- Regular MUAs create unique makeup looks to make their clients feel beautiful in their own skin, and their main focus is beauty.
- A regular makeup artist’s professional makeup kit includes recognizable products like eye shadow palettes, lipsticks, foundations, etc. They also have larger quantities of makeup in a variety of different types, finishes, and shades, as well as numerous sanitation and single-use items necessary for hygiene.
- A special effects makeup artist translates imagined looks by their clients into reality, with the goal often being to imitate aspects of real life (ex. injury) or fantasy (ex. alien-makeup) for story-telling purposes.
- Inside a Special FX MUA’s professional kit, you’ll often find longer-lasting makeup products that go beyond the face. This includes anything from airbrush makeup and latex prosthetics to fake blood.
- The average MUA makes anywhere from USD $37,500 – USD $116,700 in the United States alone.
- The average SFX makeup artist salary in the United States is around USD $49,000 per year.
- 4 factors that will impact your earning potential are: location, education, experience, and industry.
- The global makeup market is projected to reach a worldwide value somewhere between USD $46.19 – $58.15 billion between 2030 and 2032, with a CAGR of approx. 4.9% between 2024 and 2030.
- The global special effects makeup market was valued in 2023 at USD $3.1 billion and is expected to grow to approx. USD $5.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of approx. 6.5%.
- MUAs who work with celebrities, participate in high-profile events, and/or have their own successful businesses typically earn the highest salaries in the industry.
Introduction
Once you’ve decided that you want makeup to be your professional career, your next question is probably: “How much will I make?” Even if money isn’t the most important thing to you when pursuing your passion, let’s be real: everyone cares about earning a living wage, at the very least. So, what can you expect your makeup artist salary?
Furthermore, how does the salary of a regular MUA compare to that of a special effects makeup artist?
Let’s take a look at what you can expect to earn as a makeup artist and as a special effects artist!
Job Description of a Makeup Artist
Before we get into the numbers, you need to understand what each professional does. Every client approaches a regular or special effects makeup artist with a specific purpose. As the artist, you must then develop a look that achieves their goals.
Regular MUAs create unique makeup looks to make their clients feel beautiful in their own skin. Sometimes, they may have to tell a story with the look. Either way, their main focus is beauty.
As such, their professional makeup kit is stocked with recognizable products: eye shadow palettes, lipsticks, foundations – the works! They also have larger quantities of makeup in a variety of different types, finishes, and shades. And who can forget the numerous sanitation and single-use items necessary for hygiene!
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Become a certified MUA and start booking clients in as little as 2 months
Start your professional makeup training with QC Makeup Academy today
Special Effects Makeup Artist Job Description
A special effects makeup artist translates imagined looks by their clients into reality. The idea of beauty comes second (if at all) in the world of SFX makeup. Here, the goal is to imitate aspects of real life (ex. injury) or fantasy (ex. alien-makeup) for story-telling purposes.
They work with longer-lasting makeup products that go beyond the face. This includes anything from airbrush makeup and latex prosthetics to fake blood. The SFX arsenal depends on the story of the TV, film, print, or theater production.
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Become an International Special FX Makeup Professional™ (ISMP), all from the comfort of your own home!
Train online with QC’s self-paced Special FX Makeup Course
Average Makeup Artist Salary
- United States: Between approx. USD $20,500 – USD $139,000 per year
- Canada: Between approx. CAD $39,000 – CAD $122,500 per year
- United Kingdom: Between approx. GBP £20,000 – GBP £40,000 per year
- Australia: Between approx. AUD $49,900 – AUD $166,100 per year
- New Zealand: Between approx. NZD $44,800 – NZD $49,900 per year
- India: Average salary is approx. INR ₹3,02,870 per year
Average SFX Makeup Artist Salary
- United States: Between approx. USD $49,000 – $84,300 per year
- Canada: Between approx. CAD $43,000 – $76,000 per year
- United Kingdom: Between approx. GBP £80 – £300 per day
- Australia: Between approx. AUD $25 – $50 per hour for starting artists – and between approx. AUD $250 – $1,000+ per day for experience MUAs working in film and TV
- New Zealand: Between approx. NZD $88,000 – $140,000
- India: Between approx. INR ₹7,58,033 – INR ₹12,07,541 per year
Factors That Impact Your Makeup Salary
Location
Where you live, what the demand is like there for MUAs, who the average target consumer is, and what their average budget is like will ALL impact your earning potential.
For example, the average makeup artist in Illinois will make approx. USD $38,480 per year – whereas the average makeup artist living in California will likely pull in closer to USD $51,916. This makes sense when you factor in that Hollywood demands more media, TV, and film makeup artists. On the other hand, Illinois MUAs will see clients who are just everyday people.
Education
All makeup artists start with the basics before progressing to advanced techniques. After all, techniques for brush use, color correcting, and working with skin conditions aren’t intuitive. If you get professional training, you’ll advance more quickly.
FACT: Professional training can lead to an increased salary. After all, you’ve been trained by actual makeup artists who work in the industry! As such, your employers can trust your knowledge and technical skill. Plus, you’ll also have the confidence that your techniques are all correct.
After mastering editorial looks, bridal looks, and makeup for the everyday client, some choose to specialize further. Specializations could include:
- Working for global clientele
- Airbrush makeup artistry
- Skincare
- Hair styling
- Special FX makeup, etc.
Depending on the type of Special FX makeup, the aspiring artist may start as a regular MUA before specializing in SFX. Some techniques require skills that are fleshed out in regular makeup courses. For instance, bald cap application and old-age makeup require a thorough understanding of skin and facial features. Training your eye to know how to select the right colors to compliment your client takes hours of experience and practice!
Though we always recommend certification training, it’s thus especially recommended for those who want to work with SFX prosthetics. After all, Special FX makeup can be difficult to self-teach. When it comes to elaborate special effects or creating your own prosthetics, you’ll need an industry expert to guide you through it all!
Experience
Your starting salary will be significantly lower than makeup artists who have more experience. So, take on as many jobs as you can! Not only will you gain more experience – you’ll also explore all the possible career options at your disposal.
For example, if you’ve only done bridal makeup so far, why not try doing makeup for theatre? Who knows? It may even be your true calling!
Take as many opportunities as you can to refine your skills, build your network, and expand your portfolio. Once you see positive growth for your business, you can then try increasing your booking rates. If you’re working freelance, you can decide for yourself. If you are working for a company or behind a beauty counter, though, you’ll have to seek out promotions at this stage.
Industry
Makeup Artists
If you have a makeup artist certification, the world is your oyster! Most makeup artists – special effects or otherwise – work freelance or start their own makeup business.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t work for someone else, if that’s what you’d prefer. Many MUAs work behind a counter or salon. In these cases, you’ll earn a steady wage, as well as (potentially) commission.
As for freelancing, there are many ways you can choose to set your rates (e.g., hourly, fixed, flat rate, etc.). Whatever you do, though, just make sure you have an ironclad contract in place. After all, as a business owner, you have to look out for yourself!
Special Effects Makeup Artists
SFX makeup jobs are wide-ranging – you can work for film, TV, theater production companies, etc. The wage varies depending on the size of the project. Case in point: you’d obviously earn more working on the set of Spiderman than you would for your local theater production.
With that in mind, don’t overlook working with a Special FX makeup company! Even if you’re the most efficient MUA in the world, they won’t hire ONLY you to do the makeup for 30 stage actors with just three hours before showtime. Rather, they’ll need many sets of talented hands.
Working for a company means steady work and getting to work alongside Special FX masters. You’ll also be privy to less-publicized opportunities!
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Makeup Artist Salary FAQ
Can makeup artists make good money?
A: Absolutely, makeup artists have amazing potential to make good money! This earning potential can vary depending on various factors such as specialization, experience, location, and the type of projects you work on. Skilled makeup artists with a strong portfolio and industry connections can command higher rates for their services.
Additionally, working on high-profile projects (like films, television shows, fashion events, and weddings) can lead to increased income opportunities. Building a reputation for your expertise and consistently delivering exceptional results can also contribute to higher earnings as you attract more clients and opportunities. It’s also important to continue honing your skills, staying updated with industry trends, and networking to maximize your earning potential as a makeup artist.
Is makeup artistry a good career?
A: It certainly is! According to The Business Research Company, the global makeup market was projected to bring in approx. USD $37.60 billion by the end of 2024 – and increase to as high as (approx.) USD $46.19 billion by 2033. Similarly, GlobeNewswire projects that by 2030, the makeup global market will hit as high as USD $58.15 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.
So, what does this mean for YOU?
Pursuing a career in the field can be a very rewarding choice! The above projected numbers indicate a continuously thriving industry that offers ample opportunities for skilled professionals like yourself. The demand for makeup services continues to rise – fueled by various factors such as increasing beauty consciousness, social media influence, and evolving fashion trends.
Additionally, as you gain experience and build a strong reputation, you have the potential to attract more clients and expand your earning potential. By staying updated with industry trends, continuously improving your skills, and networking with others in the field, you can position yourself for success in the exciting world of makeup artistry!
What is the highest salary for a makeup artist?
A: Generally speaking, top-tier makeup artists who work with celebrities, participate in high-profile events, or have their own successful businesses typically earn the highest salaries. That said, it’s worth mentioning that building a strong reputation, continuous skill development, and networking can all contribute to increasing your earning potential as a makeup artist.
Is SFX makeup a good career?
A: Definitely! In fact, the global SFX makeup market value in 2023 was USD $3.1 billion – and it’s projected to go all the way up to approx. USD $5.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.5% between now and then. Meaning, it’s an extremely lucrative industry to get involved in – with NO signs of slowing down!
The wage of being a makeup artist will depend on what services you offer wether that’s bridal, freelance, sfx, tv or film.it will be completely different for each one and on top of that depends on where you live. I live I. A small town around 45 minutes away from London, now my prices are £20 for a full face and in London your looking at around £60 so the location you live in really differs as to how much you will earn. If you have experience then you can up your prices more as you have. Ore knowledge in what your doing.i don’t add extra just because my target audience is for mums and people on lower income as I want to be able to help everyone feel amazing.
I feel assured that I’m making a good choice in increasing the probability of making more money by learning through QC. I eventually want to take my career path down this road of makeup artistry, and it’s comforting to know that it is possible to make a living wage off of it. I’m really excited to continue working through my course so I can start working in the field and gaining experience! 🙂
It’s definitely reassuring to know that professional makeup artists can indeed make a livable wage – we definitely agree! There’s a common misconception that MUAs can only do their craft as a part-time gig (at best), and that it can never make enough of an income to support being a solo, full-time profession. But for many people, this is totally false! Different areas of makeup artistry can bring in different incomes. Not to mention, there’s a lot of strategy that needs to come into play, too. Sure, a lot of makeup artists may start out working part-time at first. But with the right work ethic and business smarts, there’s no reason why it can’t eventually become the main job!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! xx
All the best,
The QC Team