Career comparison
Embalmer vs. Makeup Artist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Makeup artists earn more at the median ($97,150 vs. $58,780), while makeup artists usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Embalmers prepare the deceased for viewing with skill, care and dignity. Makeup artists create looks for film, TV, theater, events and photo shoots.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Embalmer | Makeup Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,780 ($28.26/hr) | $97,150 ($46.71/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,310 – $77,570 | $23,360 – $167,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.7% (little or no change) | +6.1% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 700 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 2–3 years including apprenticeship | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | State embalmer license | Cosmetology or esthetics license |
| Work setting | Embalmers work in funeral home preparation rooms with chemicals, requiring PPE and ventilation.. | Makeup artists work on film sets, in theaters, studios, salons and at events, often on location.. |
What each job does
Embalmer
- Prepare bodies for embalming
- Perform arterial and cavity embalming
- Perform restorative art
- Dress and cosmetize the deceased
- Maintain the preparation room
Makeup Artist
- Consult with directors, performers or clients
- Design looks for characters or events
- Apply makeup and prosthetics
- Maintain continuity during shoots
- Touch up between scenes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work. Both are part of the beauty, fitness & personal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose embalmer if…
- I can handle this work calmly
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want to help grieving families
Choose makeup artist if…
- I’m artistic
- I love transformation and character
- I can handle long, irregular days
Still torn? Take the Embalmer fit quiz and the Makeup Artist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, embalmer or makeup artist?
Makeup Artists earn more at the median: $97,150 versus $58,780 for embalmers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Makeup Artists typically train faster (3–12 months) than embalmers (2–3 years including apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects makeup artists to grow +6.1% from 2025–35, compared with +0.7% for embalmers.