Maryland Makeup Artist School and Requirements
To become a makeup artist in Maryland, you must go through a cosmetology or limited esthetician program and get one of those licenses. Which one you choose is up to you, though many people opt for limited esthetician school due to its focus and length.
Let's dive into how to become a makeup artist in Maryland, including the differences between esthetician and cosmetology schools and how much you could earn. Browse our directory of makeup artistry schools in Maryland, or skip ahead to learn about the state's makeup artistry licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Makeup Artistry Schools in Maryland
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517 Progress Drive Suites A-J
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Topcurl Beauty Academy - Mitchellville – Accredited
Mitchellville, MD 20721
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Makeup Artistry Schools Near Me
Becoming a Makeup Artist in Maryland: Cosmetology or Limited Esthetician School?
Since Maryland doesn't offer a makeup artist license, you need to decide which other license is best for you. When considering whether to go to cosmetology or limited esthetician school to become a Maryland makeup artist, think about your career goals and how long you want to spend in school.
Many Maryland makeup artists choose to go to a limited esthetician school and earn a limited esthetician license because it requires less time in school and has a stronger focus on makeup than a cosmetology program. Limited esthetician license programs result in the same rights as esthetician school graduates in most other states. Maryland requires limited esthetician licensees to complete 600 hours of coursework or 12 months in an esthetics apprenticeship.
If you solely want to focus on skincare and cosmetics and graduate from your program in a relatively short time, a Maryland limited esthetician license may be the right path toward a makeup artist career.
READ MORE: Learn More About Esthetician School in Maryland
However, a Maryland cosmetology licensure program may be better for you if you want to offer more services than makeup and skincare—such as nail and hair treatments. Maryland cosmetologists must complete 1,500 training hours or two years of a cosmetology apprenticeship to earn their licenses.
Maryland Makeup Artist Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2022, Maryland cosmetologists averaged $42,210 per year ($20.29 per hour), while estheticians made $42,220 ($20.30). So, unlike in many states, your licensure choice doesn't majorly affect your overall pay—if you work for someone else. The BLS doesn't factor in self-employed people.
ZipRecruiter, which typically uses job listings but also considers other factors to determine salary, says Maryland's makeup artists averaged $51,321 per year ($24.67 per hour) as of late 2023. However, this doesn't consider things like license type, location, or years of service in addition to the pay of those who work for others.
If you want a strong idea of your potential pay, talk to other makeup artists in the location you want to work in about their licenses, years of experience, and other relevant factors.
Contact the Maryland State Board of Cosmetology
- 500 North Calvert Street 3rd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
- Website: Maryland Department of Labor
- Email: barbers.cos@maryland.gov
- Call: 410-230-6190
- Fax: 410-333-6314