Makeup Artist Salaries in Wisconsin

Makeup artist earnings vary between cities depending on which locations have theatrical production companies, resorts, boutiques, cosmetics stores, etc. The following list of average annual makeup artist salaries in the state and different Wisconsin cities is based on an aggregate of salaries taken from “help wanted” ads.

Enter Zip:

Theatrical and personal appearance makeup artists are lumped together. Salaries in rural areas are lower, as reflected in the statewide average.

  • Statewide – $32,000
  • Kenosha – $47,000
  • Milwaukee – $44,000
  • Madison – $44,000
  • Waukesha – $44,000
  • Lake Geneva – $41,000
  • Wisconsin Dells – $41,000
  • Appleton – $40,000
  • Green Bay – $40,000
  • Oshkosh – $40,000
  • Racine – $40,00
  • Sheboygan – $40,000
  • Wausau – $39,000
  • Eau Claire – $38,000
  • Janesville – $38,000
  • La Crosse – $38,000

It is important to note that gratuity typically adds as much as 25% to the take home earnings of makeup artists working in salons and spas.

Comparing Salaries in Wisconsin to Earnings Nationwide

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2013) the two types of makeup artists (personal appearance and theatrical/media production) earn the following annual salaries and hourly wages nationwide:

Theatrical/Production
Mean Annual Salary
$66330
10th Percentile Salary
$19560
25th Percentile Salary
$25840
50th Percentile (Median)
$47210
75th Percentile
$97350
90th Percentile Salary
$121910
Mean Hourly Wage
$31.89
10th Percentile Wage
$9.40
25th Percentile Wage
$12.42
50th Percentile (Median)
$22.70
75th Percentile
$46.81
90th Percentile Wage
$58.61