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Costume Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

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 ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

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 ...

Gallaudet

Costume Designer

Center, TX

$18.40/hr

Costume Designer Worker Type: Fixed Term (Fixed Term) Pay Type: Hourly Exempt Status: No ... Familiarity with performing arts programs and student discipline * Commitment to the program

Gallaudet University

Costume Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$18.40/hr

Costume Designer Worker Type: Fixed Term (Fixed Term) Pay Type: Hourly Exempt Status: No ... Familiarity with performing arts programs and student discipline * Commitment to the program

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$67 - $75/hr

... 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 ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$67 - $75/hr

... 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 ...

American Stage

Costume Shop Overhire

Saint Petersburg, FL · On-site

$20/hr

Costume Shop Overhire & Wardrobe Crew (First Hand, Stitchers, Crafts, Run Crew, Wigs/Hair/Makeup ... Artist-driven, radically inclusive, and fundamentally democratic. Through artistic excellence and ...

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$104.5K

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How much do costume artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for costume artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a costume artist?

Costume artists are professionals who design, create, and sometimes maintain costumes for theater, film, television, and other performances. They work closely with directors, actors, and other production staff to ensure that costumes accurately reflect a character’s personality, the setting, and the time period of the production. Their work involves research, sketching, fabric selection, sewing, and fitting costumes to performers. Costume artists play a crucial role in helping bring stories and characters to life visually.

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

To thrive as a Costume Artist, you need strong skills in garment design, sewing, fabric selection, and an understanding of historical and contemporary fashion, often supported by a degree in costume design or fashion. Familiarity with design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), pattern-making tools, and costume construction techniques is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and time management are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These abilities ensure the creation of visually compelling, functional costumes that contribute to storytelling and meet production deadlines.

What are some common challenges costume artists face when working on large productions, and how can they effectively manage them?

Costume Artists working on large productions often face challenges such as tight deadlines, last-minute design changes, and coordinating with multiple departments like set design and lighting. Effective time management and clear communication with directors, actors, and other creatives are essential for success. Additionally, Costume Artists must be adaptable, quickly sourcing materials and making alterations as needed to ensure costumes meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. Building strong collaborative relationships helps streamline the process and ensures the final wardrobe enhances the overall production.

What is the difference between Costume Artist vs Costume Designer?

AspectCostume ArtistCostume Designer
CredentialsOften includes costume craft certifications, sewing skills, and artistic trainingTypically requires a degree in fashion, costume design, or related fields
Work EnvironmentWorks on creating, altering, and maintaining costumes, often in costume shops or on setDesigns costumes from scratch, collaborates with directors and production teams
Industry UsageCommonly employed in theater, film, and TV productions for costume construction and adjustmentsPrimarily involved in designing costumes for productions, overseeing the costume department

While both roles are essential in costume production, a Costume Artist focuses on crafting and maintaining costumes, whereas a Costume Designer is responsible for creating the overall costume concept and design. The roles often collaborate closely but differ in scope and responsibilities.

Are costume artists in demand?

Costume artists are in demand in the entertainment, theater, and fashion industries, especially for film, television, and stage productions. Employment opportunities depend on project schedules, industry growth, and the ability to work with design software and sewing skills. While demand can fluctuate with industry trends, experienced costume artists with a strong portfolio are often sought after.

How much money do costume artists make?

Costume artists' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 annually. Experienced costume designers working on major productions can earn higher wages, especially with union membership and specialized skills in sewing, design, and fabric selection.
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Costume Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Costume Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

Costume Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

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.