SOC 39-5091 · Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Salary in Atlanta, GA

The average salary for makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Atlanta, Georgia is $136,930 a year ($65.83 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $160,190: half of the 140 people in this job in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 34% more than the U.S. average for this job ($102,240).

$136,930average per year

$65.83 / hourMedian $160,190Take-home ≈ $98,773

  • $64K10th
  • $100K25th
  • $160KMedian
  • $160K75th
  • $162K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

140people in this job
+34%vs U.S. average
100cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay range in Atlanta

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $64,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $162,080 or more. The middle half of makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Atlanta earn between $100,450 and $160,500.

  • $64K10th
  • $100K25th
  • $160KMedian
  • $160K75th
  • $162K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$136,930$11,411$65.83
Median$160,190$13,349$77.01
Entry level (25th percentile)$100,450$8,371$48.29
Experienced (75th percentile)$160,500$13,375$77.16

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay in Atlanta vs. Georgia and the U.S.

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Atlanta earn about the same as the Georgia average ($140,560) and 34% more than the U.S. average ($102,240). At the median the gap is +65% against the U.S. median of $97,150.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Atlanta$136,930$160,190$64,480$162,080140
Georgia$140,560$143,230$64,480$162,190200
United States$102,240$97,150$23,360$167,4702,340

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary after taxes in Atlanta

On the average salary of $136,930, a single filer in Atlanta takes home about $98,773 a year, or $8,231 a month and $3,799 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Georgia paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Atlanta a good place for makeup artists, theatrical and performance? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Atlanta area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.1), so the average $136,930 buys what about $136,851 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Atlanta ($51,170). A typical home costs $382,938, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $136,930 is worth in another city

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in nearby metro areas

Highest-paying cities for makeup artists, theatrical and performance

Los Angeles, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($139,860).

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary by city

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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in Atlanta: questions

How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performance make an hour in Atlanta?

$65.83 an hour on average, and $77.01 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary in Atlanta?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $64,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $100,450, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the makeup artists, theatrical and performance take-home pay in Atlanta?

About $98,773 a year ($8,231 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $136,930.

Do makeup artists, theatrical and performance earn more in Atlanta than elsewhere?

The average here is 34% more than the U.S. average for this job ($102,240).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-5091; area Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (12060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.1%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 3.19, this job is 3.2 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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