Career comparison
Esthetician 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. $45,330), while estheticians usually get to work faster (4–9 months of training). Estheticians care for clients’ skin with facials, treatments and expert advice. 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
| Esthetician | Makeup Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,330 ($21.79/hr) | $97,150 ($46.71/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $29,580 – $82,050 | $23,360 – $167,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +8.8% (much faster than average) | +6.1% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 14,200 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4–9 months | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | State esthetician license | Cosmetology or esthetics license |
| Work setting | Estheticians work in spas, salons, medical spas and dermatology offices, in calm treatment rooms.. | Makeup artists work on film sets, in theaters, studios, salons and at events, often on location.. |
What each job does
Esthetician
- Analyze clients’ skin
- Perform facials and treatments
- Exfoliate and apply masks
- Remove hair by waxing
- Recommend products and routines
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 working with people, hands-on work, creative work, and in-demand. Both are part of the beauty, fitness & personal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose esthetician if…
- I love skincare
- I’m gentle and detail-oriented
- I enjoy one-on-one client work
Choose makeup artist if…
- I’m artistic
- I love transformation and character
- I can handle long, irregular days
Still torn? Take the Esthetician fit quiz and the Makeup Artist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, esthetician or makeup artist?
Makeup Artists earn more at the median: $97,150 versus $45,330 for estheticians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Estheticians typically train faster (4–9 months) than makeup artists (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects estheticians to grow +8.8% from 2025–35, compared with +6.1% for makeup artists.