Becoming a makeup artist in Oregon requires attending an accredited makeup artistry program at a beauty school or community college. Students learn about such things as:
- Permanent makeup application
- Bridal makeup
- Photo shot makeup
- Spray makeup
- Film and TV makeup
- Body art
These figures shown here do not include tips, which average 15 to 20 percent of the cost of the service. In addition, makeup artists working at cosmetics counters/stores normally receive a base salary plus commissions for products sold.
Makeup Artist Salaries in Oregon and Nationwide
A website that bases its figures on an occupational survey lists the average annual salary of makeup artists in Oregon at $34,000. Three want ads for makeup artist jobs in department and cosmetics shops are offering a beginning hourly wage of $18.00.
National salaries for makeup artists are very diverse. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), theatrical and performance makeup artists earn a mean annual salary of $66,330 (or $31.89/hour) nationally with the upper 10 percent enjoying annual salaries well over $100,000. Portland, Oregon has a large artistic community that offers opportunities for theatrical and performance makeup artists.
Makeup Artist Career Options
However, many makeup artists opt to specialize in bridal makeup or individual consultations at cosmetics shops or department stores. Still others prefer to run their own business by building up a clientele of private individuals who depend on them for their makeup needs. Some devote themselves to one person like a politician who always wants to look “camera-ready” at all times.
These personal appearance workers generally earn less than theatrical makeup artists with a mean annual salary of $27,000 ($12.98/hour) and a high of $43,270 ($20.21/hour).
In all cases, tips and gratuities can increase a makeup artist’s salary between 10 and 20 percent, sometimes higher.