Make Up Artists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Make Up Artists design and apply make up to actors, presenters and other performing artists.
Tasks
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Applies and retouches make up during shootings and performances, including special effects make up such as scars and wounds.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Creative
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Performing Arts Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 30% of people employed as Make Up Artists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 36 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Make Up Artists work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Make Up Artists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 35.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 28.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 77% of Make Up Artists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Make Up Artists is 28 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 97% of the workforce. This is 49 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Make Up Artists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 6.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 27.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 37.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 17.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 8.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 1.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 0.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 28 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Make Up Artist. Although most workers have a certificate III, IV or diploma in beauty therapy.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Creative Arts and Culture VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Make Up Artists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 10.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 38.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 27.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 18.1 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 2.7 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Performing Arts Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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48%
Management of financial resourcesFiguring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.
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46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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46%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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46%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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37%
Management of material resourcesProviding the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.
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37%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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36%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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36%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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36%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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36%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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61%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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58%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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53%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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49%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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47%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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46%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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45%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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45%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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45%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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43%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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41%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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39%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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39%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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33%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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32%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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30%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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27%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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25%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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22%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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20%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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52%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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77%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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73%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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73%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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68%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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67%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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66%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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58%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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58%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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56%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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55%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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53%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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53%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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53%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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52%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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51%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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49%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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44%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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38%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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43%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Values
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67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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60%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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52%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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52%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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29%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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95%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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94%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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93%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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90%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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89%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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86%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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83%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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79%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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78%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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76%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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75%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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74%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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70%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 39-5091.00 - Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.