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Costume Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City Theatre Company

COSTUME MANAGER

Pittsburgh, PA

$22/hr

Supporting the costume designer and wardrobe crew during technical rehearsals Technical Execution & Construction * Costume construction and alteration; costume purchasing/shopping and returns * Wig ...

City Theatre Company

COSTUME MANAGER

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$22/hr

Supporting the costume designer and wardrobe crew during technical rehearsals Technical Execution & Construction * Costume construction and alteration; costume purchasing/shopping and returns * Wig ...

Point Park University

Cutter/Draper

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

Costume Shop Manager PRIMARY FUNCTION : Creates the patterns and supervises construction of garments as designed by the Costume Designer. Fits and oversees alterations and reworking of built, rented ...

Point Park University

Cutter/Draper

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

Costume Shop Manager PRIMARY FUNCTION : Creates the patterns and supervises construction of garments as designed by the Costume Designer. Fits and oversees alterations and reworking of built, rented ...

Point Park University

Cutter/Draper

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

Costume Shop Manager PRIMARY FUNCTION : Creates the patterns and supervises construction of garments as designed by the Costume Designer. Fits and oversees alterations and reworking of built, rented ...

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Costume Designer information

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$19

$31

$47

How much do costume designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for costume designer in the United States is $31.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $36.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 strong background in fashion design, fabric knowledge, and garment construction, usually supported by a degree in costume or fashion design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Creative Suite and experience with costume budgeting and management systems are commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and strong communication skills help Costume Designers effectively translate a director's vision and work with production teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering authentic, functional, and visually compelling costumes that enhance storytelling across theater, film, or television productions.

What is the difference between Costume Designer vs Wardrobe Stylist?

AspectCostume DesignerWardrobe Stylist
CredentialsFashion or costume design degree, portfolioFashion knowledge, styling experience
Work EnvironmentFilm, TV, theater productionsPhotoshoots, celebrity styling, events
Industry UsageCreates costumes for charactersAdvises on wardrobe choices for clients
Search IntentDesigning costumes for productionsStyling outfits for appearances

While both roles involve fashion and clothing, a Costume Designer focuses on creating costumes for characters in entertainment productions, whereas a Wardrobe Stylist selects outfits to enhance a client's appearance for photoshoots, events, or public appearances. The roles differ mainly in their purpose and work environment, but both require a strong understanding of fashion and styling.

What qualifications are needed to be a Costume Designer?

A costume designer typically needs a bachelor's degree in fashion design, theater, or a related field, along with strong skills in sewing, illustration, and understanding of fabrics. Experience in costume construction and familiarity with design software like Adobe Photoshop or CAD are also valuable. Building a portfolio and gaining practical experience through internships or assistant roles are important for career advancement.

What does a Costume Designer do?

A Costume Designer is responsible for creating the clothing and outfits worn by actors in film, television, theater, or other productions. They research, design, and select costumes that reflect the story, era, character personalities, and director’s vision. Costume Designers collaborate closely with directors, set designers, and actors to ensure that costumes enhance the storytelling and fit the overall aesthetic of the production. Their work involves sketching designs, sourcing materials, overseeing fittings, and sometimes managing a team of costume makers or stylists.

What Is the Job of a Costume Designer?

As a costume designer, your job is to buy, rent, or make costumes for actors. You discuss design choices with other staff members, sew new outfits from a pattern, decide what makes sense for the physical demands of a performance, and perform fittings to ensure each costume fits. Costume designers can work in a variety of fields, including movies, television, theatre, and other performing arts. In many cases, you spend time researching the fashion trends of the past, manage a costume budget, and interpret the producer's creative vision. You must also confirm when and where costumes need to change during a performance to ensure everyone has enough time to do so.

What are some common challenges costume designers face when collaborating with directors and other departments?

Costume designers often need to balance their creative vision with the expectations and practical needs of directors, producers, and other departments such as lighting and set design. Effective communication is key to ensuring costumes complement the overall aesthetic and function within the limitations of the production's budget and schedule. Navigating last-minute script changes or actor fittings can also be challenging, requiring flexibility and problem-solving skills. Building strong relationships and maintaining open dialogue with the team helps costume designers address these challenges and contribute to a cohesive production.
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Costume Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Costume Designer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,817 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Theatre Costume Shop Student Worker

Theatre Costume Shop Student Worker

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN • On-site

$13.50 - $15.25/hr

Part-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Students will be responsible for assisting the costume designer in the execution and maintenance of the costumes for theatre department productions. May be federal work study eligible.
It is best if the student has already had one semester of Costume Practicum.
This position requires:
  • Students will be responsible for assisting the costume designer
  • Help with maintenance and organization of costume stock, patterns, and sewing notions
  • Assist in costume practicum to teach sewing skills
  • Assist with costume construction and laundry for theatre dept. productions
  • Must be a current Lipscomb Theatre student

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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About Lipscomb University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Born from the powerful vision of courageous leaders, Lipscomb University leads at the forefront as pioneers in Christ-centered higher education, magnifying the best in everyone we encounter on our campus, in our community and around the world. Forged by the trials and opportunities of 130 years of pursuing excellence in education, we continually reimagine and refine our methods to fulfill our mission—preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences. Lipscomb offers an intellectually challenging academic program with a commitment to continual spiritual formation while engaging the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Nashville, TN, US

Year founded

1891

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