Performance Make-up Artist
19AI EXPOSURE TODAY19
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST64%
NOT A FORECAST64%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£20,000 - £25,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM HAIR & BEAUTY →
Performance Make-up Artist
Performance make-up artists play a crucial role in the entertainment industry, transforming actors and performers into unforgettable characters that captivate audiences. Their artistry not only enhances visual storytelling but also elevates the overall production quality, making them essential in theatre, film, television, and live events across the UK.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (19), and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Make-up ArtistAs a Junior Make-up Artist, you will assist senior artists on set, gaining hands-on experience and learning the ropes of the industry.£20,000 - £25,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Make-up ArtistIn this role, you will take on more responsibility, working independently on smaller productions and collaborating with various creative teams.£30,000 - £40,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Make-up ArtistAs a Senior Make-up Artist, you will lead teams, oversee large projects, and be responsible for the overall make-up design and execution.£50,000+
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely. Some employers will take you on here with no formal qualifications at all, if you can show you can do the work.