Makeup Artist Salaries in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, applying permanent make-up requires both a cosmetology and a tattoo license, while working in traditional personal care or theatrical makeup artistry requires either an esthetician or cosmetology license. The requirement for a cosmetology license is the completion of 1,500 hours of beauty school and a state board exam, while the esthetician license requires just 600 hours along with the exam.

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Salary figures reported don’t include gratuity, which adds considerably to a makeup artist’s income. In a salon setting, tips can add 25% or even more to the salaries shown here.

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist Salaries

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Theatrical and Performance makeup artists earn the following salaries/wages:

Annual Salary
Mean
$66330
10th Percentile
$19560
25th Percentile
$25840
50th Percentile (Median)
$47210
75th Percentile
$97350
90th Percentile
$121910

There are no BLS figures for the state; however, the American Job Center Network lists the following annual salaries for theatrical and performance makeup artists working in Rhode Island.

  • Low – $19,600
  • Medium – $47,200
  • High – $121,900

Personal Appearance Makeup Artist Salaries

The following is the BLS table for Personal Appearance Workers:

Annual Salary
Mean
$27000
10th Percentile
$16440
25th Percentile
$18470
50th Percentile (Median)
$22470
75th Percentile
$26200
90th Percentile
$43270

Makeup Artist Occupations

Makeup artists fall into two categories: Theatrical/Performance and Personall Appearance

Theatrical/performance makeup artists work primarily in the following industries:

  • Movies/TV/Videos
  • Fashion
  • Live Theater
  • Circuses/ special performances

Personal appearance makeup artists work primarily in the following areas:

  • Cosmetics industry
  • Salons
  • Spas / Resorts
  • Bridal boutiques
  • Freelance

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