Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,000 a year or less, while the top 10% make $138,770 or more. The middle half of makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Washington earn between $84,820 and $97,220.
- $52K10th
- $85K25th
- $96KMedian
- $97K75th
- $139K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,150 | $7,846 | $45.26 |
| Median | $95,730 | $7,978 | $46.02 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $84,820 | $7,068 | $40.78 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $97,220 | $8,102 | $46.74 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance in Washington earn 6% more than the Washington, D.C. average ($88,560) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($102,240). At the median the gap is -1% against the U.S. median of $97,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $94,150 | $95,730 | $52,000 | $138,770 | 70 |
| Washington, D.C. | $88,560 | $95,730 | $52,000 | $111,870 | 60 |
| United States | $102,240 | $97,150 | $23,360 | $167,470 | 2,340 |
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 Washington
On the average salary of $94,150, a single filer in Washington takes home about $70,030 a year, or $5,836 a month and $2,693 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $71,642 | $5,970 |
| Working in MD | $70,804 | $5,900 |
| Working in VA | $70,465 | $5,872 |
| Working in DC | $70,030 | $5,836 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for makeup artists, theatrical and performance? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $94,150 buys what about $86,468 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 6.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in nearby metro areas
- New York, NY$118,920
- Atlanta, GA$136,930
- Orlando, FL$119,880
- Los Angeles, CA$139,860
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).
- Los Angeles, CA$139,860
- Atlanta, GA$136,930
- Orlando, FL$119,880
- New York, NY$118,920
- Washington, DC$94,150
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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance salary in Washington: questions
How much do makeup artists, theatrical and performance make an hour in Washington?
$45.27 an hour on average, and $46.02 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level makeup artists, theatrical and performance salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,000 a year and the 25th percentile is $84,820, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the makeup artists, theatrical and performance take-home pay in Washington?
About $70,030 a year ($5,836 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,150.
Do makeup artists, theatrical and performance earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.4%.
- 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 1.43, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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