by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Make-Up Artist/Specialist explores Make-Up Artist/specialist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Professionally Apply Cosmetic Makeup Preparations And Perform Complete And Specialized Appearance Makeovers Including Hairdressing, Wig Work, Masking, Temporary Prosthesis Applications, Cosmetic Applications, And Related Costuming For Leisure Or For Professional Stage, Camera, Clinical, Or Security Purposes. Includes Instruction In Period And Contemporary Hairstyling And Costuming; Wig Work And Hairpiece Application; Synthetic Hair And Masks; Cosmetic Preparations And Treatments; Makeup Artistry; Attachment, Removal, And Camouflaging Of Prostheses; Health And Safety; Client Consultation And Care; Pre- And Post-Production Operations; Set And Crew Conduct And Relations; Script, Instruction, And Prescription Interpretation; Labor Relations; And Business Practices. Read on to learn the key facts every make-up artist/specialist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering make-up artist/specialist programs.
Nationwide, make-up artist/specialist is a widely-pursued major, with 426 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Make-Up Artist/Specialist Schools ranking analyzes these 24 schools to determine the best overall colleges for make-up artist/specialist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of make-up artist/specialist programs later in this article.
Studies in Make-Up Artist/Specialist build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations make-up artist/specialist graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a make-up artist/specialist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a make-up artist/specialist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several make-up artist/specialist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 236 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 59 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 120 |
People currently working in careers related to make-up artist/specialist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 53.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 27.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.8% |
| First professional degree | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in make-up artist/specialist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in make-up artist/specialist opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to make-up artist/specialist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to make-up artist/specialist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | 253,179 | 6.7% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 226,641 | -3.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of make-up artist/specialist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for make-up artist/specialist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers make-up artist/specialist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,017 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $36,599 |
With 24 different make-up artist/specialist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased make-up artist/specialist school rankings to help you.
Those considering make-up artist/specialist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | 55,875 |
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
