Opportunities for makeup artists in Maryland are increasing as the state’s fashion industry comes into its own. In fact, designers come from as far away as Paris to be part of Maryland’s Fashion Week. Talented makeup artists are featured at Fashion Awards MD—an annual event that debuted in 2012 to showcase the talent of Maryland’s fashion professionals.
As freelance makeup artist Caitlyn Meyer told the Baltimore Sun, New York trends are alive and well in Baltimore. Charm City also has a unique signature style described as quirky and funky thanks to its urban influence and the edgy style sense of John Waters.
In addition to the fashion industry, work for makeup artists abounds in Maryland’s robust wedding industry. It had a market value of $1.1 billion in 2013 according to TheWeddingReport.com. Clients such as brides frequently tip their makeup artists, so their salaries are substantially higher than those reported here.
Salaries of Makeup Artists Throughout Maryland
The salaries of makeup artists in Maryland have been increasing yearly according to the state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). They increased by 11.3% over the five-year period ending in 2011.
The starting salaries for makeup artists in Maryland varied substantially throughout the state according to the job site Indeed.com. It provides an average of the advertised salaries for makeup positions over the previous year.
Makeup artists in Maryland’s major cities generally earned significantly higher salaries than the state’s average of $42,000 in January 2015:
- Germantown – $52,000
- Silver Spring – $50,000
- Columbia – $49,000
In contrast, the starting salary for makeup artists in Baltimore was $43,000.
Job Increases for Makeup Artists in Maryland
The number of jobs for makeup artists in Maryland is increasing according to the DLLR. It expects this increase to be 5% between 2008 and 2018. This should result in a total of 20 new positions for makeup artists during this period. Half will be new jobs created by growth in the field, while the other half will be generated by the exit of professionals who will stop practicing their craft.
Montgomery County had six makeup artists in 2010, and the DLLR expects two additional jobs to become available in the ten-year period ending in 2020. As with Maryland as a whole, one of these positions will be due to growth in makeup artistry, while the other will be a replacement position.