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Costume Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking a Costume Designer to lead the design and execution of wardrobe across all characters, from leads to crowds, ensuring visual consistency throughout our film. As a key ...

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Svsu

Costume Designer

Campus, IL

Costume Designer Full or Part Time: Part time Hours: 20 Exempt: No Supervisory Org: Theater Staff (PM) JOB SUMMARY: The Department of Theatre at Saginaw Valley State University invites applications ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$67 - $75/hr

Reporting to the Head of Costume Design, the Associate Costume Designer will expand upon and support the development of wardrobe concepts established in collaboration with the broader Visual ...

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The King's Academy

Theatre Costume Designer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$6.0K/yr

Job Title : Theatre Costume Designer Job Status : Part-Time, Seasonal Exempt Status : Non-Exempt, Piece Rate Department : Visual and Performing Arts Reports to : VPA Specialist Job Summary TKA is a ...

Lewis University

Costume Shop Manager

Romeoville, IL · On-site

The Costume Shop Manager will work with the faculty costume designer and other faculty members and participate in the pulling, shopping, and construction of costumes for department productions. The ...

BALLET ARIZONA

Costume Shop Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

The Costume Shop Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Costume Department and is responsible for the successful execution of all costume production activities in support of Ballet Arizona ...

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College of Charleston

Costume Shop Manager

Charleston, SC · On-site

$39K - $47K/yr

Posting Details POSTING INFORMATION Internal Title Costume Shop Manager Position Type Classified Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration Non-Faculty Pay Band GEN07 Level Department Theatre & Dance Job ...

Dartmouth College

Costume Shop Manager

Hanover, NH · On-site

The Costume Shop Manager provides technical guidance and supervised experiential learning opportunities for students engaged in production work, supporting the successful execution of departmental ...

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How much do costume jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for costume in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are costume designers and what do they do?

Costume designers are professionals responsible for creating the clothing and outfits worn by actors in theater, film, television, and other performances. They work closely with directors, set designers, and actors to develop costumes that reflect the characters, setting, and time period of the production. Their role often involves researching historical styles, selecting fabrics, overseeing fittings, and managing budgets to ensure that the costumes help bring the story and characters to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Costume Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Costume Designer, you need a solid background in fashion design, garment construction, and textile knowledge, often supported by a degree in costume or fashion design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, sewing machines, and fabric dyeing techniques is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, strong communication, and collaboration make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure costumes effectively convey character, support storytelling, and meet production demands within tight deadlines.

What is the difference between Costume vs Makeup Artist?

AspectCostumeMakeup Artist
Required CredentialsNone specific, often self-taught or basic sewing skillsCosmetology license, certifications in makeup artistry
Work EnvironmentTheatrical, film, events, retail storesSalons, film sets, theater, special events
Industry UsageDesigning and providing clothing and accessories for performances or eventsApplying makeup to enhance or transform appearance for performances or photoshoots

While both costumes and makeup artists work in entertainment and event settings, costumes focus on clothing and accessories, whereas makeup artists specialize in facial and body makeup. They often collaborate but require different skills and certifications. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or service provider.

What are some common challenges a costume designer faces when working on a fast-paced production?

Costume designers often encounter tight deadlines and frequent last-minute changes, especially in fast-paced productions like television or live theater. Balancing creative vision with budget constraints can also be challenging, as designers must source or create costumes that fit both the director's concept and the production's financial limits. Effective communication and flexibility are essential, as designers frequently collaborate with directors, actors, and other departments to ensure costumes are functional, comfortable, and visually cohesive.
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Costume jobs near you
Costume Designer

Costume Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking a Costume Designer to lead the design and execution of wardrobe across all characters, from leads to crowds, ensuring visual consistency throughout our film. As a key member of the art leadership team, the role will collaborate closely with the Director, Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and report directly to the studio’s Head of Costume Design.

This position is responsible for defining and maintaining the film’s distinctive visual style through clothing, hairstyles, and accessories while finding innovative and researched ways to enhance character performance, express personality, and elevate the storytelling.

The ideal candidate combines strong creative vision with deep technical expertise in garment construction, tailoring, fabrics, and sewing techniques. The Costume Designer will play a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding the broader team, providing clear instruction on costume preparation and packeting from both a costume and visual development perspective.

Previous experience as a visual development artist in animation is required.

Responsibilities
  • Design and develop the visual style for all costumes on a film by understanding the Director’s overall vision for the story, character development, and visual tone
  • Partner with other art leadership (Production Designers, Art Directors, and Lead Character Designers) to ensure world, characters, and costumes are cohesive and elevate overall storytelling
  • Drive costume research in support of the films vision and provide findings to the broader team
  • Visually explore research by pitching, iterating, adapting, and designing
  • Create multiple iterations of each main character’s costume from rough pass to final design and use these iterations to later inform all other costumes from secondary, tertiary, and crowds
  • Provide and share expertise on clothing styles, fabrics, fabrication techniques, and patterns to align with the narratives, character, and show designs
  • Art Direct asset building teams to fulfil costume pipeline
  • Oversee Costume Design Assistants; distribute assignments, make corrections, give notes, track delivery dates and production deadlines, and overall be a teacher and mentor
  • Teach Costume Design Assistants and Visual Development Artists how to prepare detailed costume packets for downstream CG departments by instilling clarity on required information such as pattern cuttings, fabric swatches, draping, texture, color, silhouette, and pattern design
  • Champion a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team culture within the larger Production and Art team that promotes professionalism, creativity, and continuous improvement
  • Creative problem solving
  • Involvement in hiring and mentoring of costume design crew
Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience working as a visual development artist on animated projects and 1+ years working on costume designs in visual development, theater, live action, or related field
  • Education in Fashion Design, Costume Design, Toy Design, or Art preferred
  • Self-starter and organizer with the ability to drive all production needs keeping mind production pipeline and deadlines
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare detailed costume packets for downstream animation departments that inform final design execution
  • Knowledge of and ability to teach costume terminology, methods, practices, and techniques such as textiles, fabric properties, and garment construction including pattern making and draping
  • Proficiency in drawing (including human and animal anatomy), design, perspective, composition, painting, lighting and color theory
  • Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Experience working hands-on with fabrics
  • Previous experience leading a team
  • Requirement to be, or become, a member in good standing of the Animation Guild (Local 839)
The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.Â