How much does a makeup artist make in California?
$140,900a year
Median yearly pay for makeup artists in California. That is $67.73 an hour or $11,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $67.73
- Vs. national median
- +45%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 6
- Jobs in the state
- 830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $76,340Median: $140,900Highest 10%: $169,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,340 | $36.70 | |
| 25th | $124,800 | $60.00 | |
| Median | $140,900 | $67.73 | |
| 75th | $143,500 | $68.97 | |
| 90th | $169,600 | $81.53 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $140,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for makeup artists.
| 1. Georgia | $143,200 |
| 2. California | $140,900 |
| 3. Louisiana | $129,600 |
| 4. New York | $97,150 |
| 5. District of Columbia | $95,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a makeup artist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $67.73 ($140,900 a year).
Do makeup artists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $140,900 against $97,150 nationally, 45% more.
Where does California rank for makeup artist pay?
California ranks 2 of 6 states.
Which city in California pays makeup artists the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $140,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.