Costume attendants salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Mean (average) | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| 90th percentile | $109,520 | $52.66 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Costume attendants pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 30 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,910 | $27,950 | $47,150 | 50 | 0.59 |
| Arizona | $37,430 | $35,090 | $63,290 | 60 | 0.46 |
| California | $72,030 | $38,190 | $127,180 | 1,620 | 2.12 |
| Colorado | $57,960 | $39,720 | $77,470 | 40 | 0.33 |
| Connecticut | $44,550 | $38,100 | $65,530 | 60 | 0.79 |
| District of Columbia | $53,290 | $46,890 | $105,660 | 60 | 1.95 |
| Florida | $40,680 | $33,980 | $65,560 | 670 | 1.61 |
| Georgia | $94,890 | $48,260 | $109,050 | 100 | 0.5 |
| Hawaii | $57,660 | $39,260 | $62,550 | 30 | 1.22 |
| Illinois | $49,170 | $34,840 | $63,320 | 140 | 0.56 |
| Indiana | $34,160 | $30,530 | $58,560 | 40 | 0.32 |
| Kentucky | $37,240 | $31,850 | $48,310 | 40 | 0.43 |
| Massachusetts | $55,190 | $35,770 | $70,970 | 90 | 0.61 |
| Michigan | $31,920 | $27,270 | $48,090 | 80 | 0.43 |
| Minnesota | $52,000 | $37,350 | $72,570 | 80 | 0.64 |
| Missouri | $40,800 | $30,720 | $61,490 | 110 | 0.88 |
| Nevada | $55,640 | $31,200 | $87,110 | 390 | 6 |
| New Jersey | $45,010 | $32,730 | $133,650 | 100 | 0.55 |
| New York | $95,230 | $41,810 | $134,490 | 950 | 2.33 |
| North Carolina | $33,920 | $23,390 | $55,430 | 50 | 0.22 |
| Ohio | $46,330 | $31,120 | $58,100 | 160 | 0.69 |
| Oregon | $51,680 | $37,090 | $58,010 | 60 | 0.72 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,270 | $33,730 | $59,420 | 260 | 1.04 |
| South Carolina | $33,510 | $31,390 | $48,560 | 50 | 0.56 |
| Tennessee | $45,220 | $38,760 | $85,380 | 50 | 0.35 |
| Texas | $28,440 | $23,330 | $57,220 | 550 | 0.93 |
| Utah | $47,850 | $32,550 | $66,710 | 140 | 1.93 |
| Virginia | $46,790 | $30,950 | $57,850 | 40 | 0.25 |
| Washington | $64,650 | $42,180 | $74,690 | 120 | 0.8 |
| Wisconsin | $38,470 | $31,280 | $67,610 | 160 | 1.31 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for costume attendants
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,700. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.8%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for costume attendants
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other CIP 50.0599
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
- Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
- Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
- Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
- Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
- Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
- Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
- Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Database software
- Garment tracking software
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Persuasion, Negotiation, Time Management.
Common job titles: Costume Draper, Costume Seamstress, Costumer, Draper, Dresser, Wardrobe Assistant, Wardrobe Attendant, Wardrobe Supervisor.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do costume attendants make?
The national median annual wage for costume attendants was $50,400 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $32,150 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $109,520. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do costume attendants need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is costume attendants a growing career?
BLS projects employment of costume attendants to change +5.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay costume attendants the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($95,230), Georgia ($94,890), California ($72,030). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.