Makeup Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does a Makeup Instructor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Makeup Instructor in the United States is $33,296 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $37,834
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,735 to $35,671
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,404
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View as table View as graph 25% $30,735 10% $28,404 90% $37,834 75% $35,671 $33,296 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Makeup Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $35,671 $2,973 $686 $17
Average $33,296 $2,775 $640 $16
25th Percentile $30,735 $2,561 $591 $15
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Key Factors That Influence Makeup Instructor Salaries

A Makeup Instructor'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Makeup Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Makeup Instructor'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): $33,047
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $33,474
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $34,469
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,070
  • Expert (over 8 years): $35,145
Levels Salary
Entry Level Makeup Instructor$33,047
Intermediate Level Makeup Instructor$33,474
Senior Level Makeup Instructor$34,469
Specialist Level Makeup Instructor$35,070
Expert Level Makeup Instructor$35,145
$33,047 0 yr
$33,474 < 2 yrs
$34,469 2-4 yrs
$35,070 5-8 yrs
$35,145 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Makeup Instructor 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 Makeup Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $36,866.
  • California: $36,726.
  • Massachusetts: $36,236.

Top Paying Cities for Makeup Instructors

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: $41,997
  • San Francisco: $41,584
  • Oakland: $40,661

What Skills Can Increase a Makeup Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 2.94% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.08%
Housekeeping 2.94%
Operating System 1.64%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Makeup Instructor's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$42,952
29%
Quality Assurance
$37,958
14%
Leadership
$35,960
8%
Accountability
$34,628
4%
Time Management
$34,628
4%
Confidentiality
$34,628
4%
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Makeup Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Makeup Instructor'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Makeup Instructor

Salaries for a Makeup Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $34,165 in 2023 to around $34,329 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Makeup Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Makeup Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$34,165
2024
$34,461
2025
$34,329
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $34,165
2024 $34,461
2025 $34,329
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Makeup Instructor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Makeup Instructor

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

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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.)

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