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Certified Makeup Artist Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Makeup Artist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Makeup Artist in the United States is $45,619 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Certified Makeup Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,023
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,822 to $49,494
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,724
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Certified Makeup Artist Salaries

A Certified Makeup Artist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Makeup Artist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Makeup Artist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $102,350
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,243
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,636
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $180,469
  • Expert (over 8 years): $235,561
Levels Salary
Retail St... Level Certified Makeup Artist$102,350
Certified... Level Certified Makeup Artist$47,243
Retail St... Level Certified Makeup Artist$111,636
Retail St... Level Certified Makeup Artist$180,469
Retail St... Level Certified Makeup Artist$235,561
View as Graph

How Do Certified Makeup Artist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Makeup Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,509.
  • California: $50,317.
  • Massachusetts: $49,647.

Top Paying Cities for Certified Makeup Artists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,539
  • San Francisco: $56,909
  • Oakland: $55,709

Certified Makeup Artist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Makeup Artist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Certified Makeup Artist positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Makeup Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Certified Makeup Artist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$50,180$24.010%
Media$47,900$23.05%

How Education impacts a Certified Makeup Artist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Makeup Artists enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Makeup Artist with a No Diploma is between $38,187 and $41,084).

Certified Makeup Artist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Makeup Artist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 30.8%
Associates 15.4%
Bachelors 38.5%
Masters 7.7%
Doctorate 3.8%
View as Graph

Certified Makeup Artist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Makeup Artist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$37,822
Average $45,619/year
$49,494
$3,152
Average $3,802/month
$4,125
$727
Average $877/week
$952
$18
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,494 $4,125 $952 $24
Average $45,619 $3,802 $877 $22
25th Percentile $37,822 $3,152 $727 $18

Most common benefits for Certified Makeup Artist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Certified Makeup Artist

Here are companies hiring for Certified Makeup Artist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Certified Makeup Artist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Makeup Artist?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Makeup Artist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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