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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retail Makeup Artist in California is $37,011 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Retail Makeup Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Retail Makeup Artist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $39,970 | $3,331 | $769 | $19 |
| Average | $37,011 | $3,084 | $712 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,653 | $2,888 | $666 | $17 |
blowology dry bar - Castro Valley, CA
Anastasia Beverly Hills LLC - Beverly Hills, CA
All Dolled Up - Napa, CA
Charlotte Tilbury - San Francisco, CA
A Retail 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Retail Makeup Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Retail Makeup Artist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Retail Makeup Artist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Retail Makeup Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $55,517 | $27.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Retail 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $39,970 | $3,331 | $769 | $19 |
| Average | $37,011 | $3,084 | $712 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,653 | $2,888 | $666 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Retail Makeup Artist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
All Dolled Up
Truckee, CA
All Dolled Up | Truckee, CA
Job Description. Job Description. All Dolled Up is an award winning hair and makeup company on the cutting edge of hairstyling and makeup artistry - specia... more
5 Days Ago
Westman Atelier
Los Angeles, CA
Westman Atelier | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. This role will primarily service Nordstrom doors in the Los Angeles Area. About Westman Atelier. A new standard of clean ... more
5 Days Ago
Westman Atelier
San Diego, CA
Westman Atelier | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Westman Atelier. A new standard of clean luxury. Founded by world-renowned editorial makeup artist Gucci Westman, W... more
5 Days Ago
Charlotte Tilbury
Los Angeles, CA
Charlotte Tilbury | Los Angeles, CA
Tilbury Artist (Retail Makeup Artist). As a Tilbury Artist (Retail Makeup Artist) you are responsible for promoting and creating makeup magic in store. Alw... more
2 Days Ago
Charlotte Tilbury
Santa Rosa, CA
Charlotte Tilbury | Santa Rosa, CA
Freelance Makeup Artist. Charlotte Tilbury is currently recruiting freelance makeup artists to join the team. As a member of the Charlotte Tilbury freelanc... more
3 Days Ago
Charlotte Tilbury
San Jose, CA
Charlotte Tilbury | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Charlotte Tilbury is currently recruiting Freelance Makeup Artists to join the team. This position will be part of the Ch... more
5 Days Ago
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