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Film Costume Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

This position is responsible for defining and maintaining the film's distinctive visual style ... The Costume Designer will play a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding the broader team, providing ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

This position is responsible for defining and maintaining the film's distinctive visual style ... The Costume Designer will play a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding the broader team, providing ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$67 - $75/hr

Reporting to the Head of Costume Design, the Associate Costume Designer will expand upon and ... film leadership. This role ensures the creative vision is carried through consistently, while ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$67 - $75/hr

Reporting to the Head of Costume Design, the Associate Costume Designer will expand upon and ... film leadership. This role ensures the creative vision is carried through consistently, while ...

Sarah Lawrence College

Costume Supervisor

Bronxville, NY · On-site

$44K - $48K/yr

Responsibilities include mentoring undergraduate and graduate student designers, supervising ... Facilitate approved costume checkouts for Theatre classes, Film projects, independent student work ...

University of Arizona

Stitcher, Costume Shop

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$18.15 - $22.69/hr

Join the School of Theatre, Film & Television as a Costume Shop Stitcher and play an essential role ... Support costume shop manager and costume designers in fittings and garment alterations. * Sew ...

Thirty Rocks Franchisee

... producers, costume designers and other members of staff. Typical responsibilities include ... attending rehearsals/film takes * meeting with and commissioning set construction companies.

Swaybox Studios

Costumer

New Orleans, LA

$12 - $16.25/hr

... Costume Fabricator plays a key role in building and maintaining puppet costumes for film ... Ability to follow instructions and replicate designs with precision * Competency in pattern-making ...

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How much do film costume designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for film 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 is a film costume designer?

A Film Costume Designer is responsible for creating and selecting costumes that reflect the characters, time period, and overall visual style of a film. They collaborate with directors, production designers, and actors to ensure costumes align with the story and enhance character development. This involves researching styles, sourcing fabrics, managing budgets, and overseeing costume fittings. Their work plays a crucial role in bringing the film’s vision to life through clothing and accessories.

What are some of the typical challenges a film costume designer faces during a production?

Film Costume Designers often navigate tight deadlines, budget constraints, and the need to make quick adjustments based on last-minute script changes or director feedback. They must ensure costumes are both period-accurate and functional for actors during filming, sometimes requiring rapid problem-solving on set. Balancing creative vision with practical considerations—like actor comfort and continuity between scenes—is common. Despite these challenges, the work is dynamic, collaborative, and highly rewarding for those who enjoy bringing characters to life through costume.

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

To thrive as a Film Costume Designer, you need expertise in fashion design, textiles, sewing, and a solid understanding of historical and contemporary clothing, often supported by a degree in costume or fashion design. Knowledge of tools like Adobe Creative Suite, garment construction techniques, and sometimes union certifications is also important. Collaboration, creativity, strong communication, and organizational skills help designers excel, especially when working with directors and large production teams. These combined abilities ensure costumes authentically reflect characters and storylines, contributing to the film’s visual storytelling and overall success.

How much money does a film costume designer make?

Film costume designers typically earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, project scope, and industry location. Experienced designers working on major productions or in high-cost areas can earn higher salaries, and many also supplement income through freelance work or union memberships.

How to get a job as a film costume designer?

To become a film costume designer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your work, gain experience through internships or assistant roles, and build industry connections. Knowledge of fashion history, sewing skills, and proficiency with costume design software are also important for securing opportunities in the field.

What do film costume designers do in film?

Film costume designers are responsible for creating and selecting costumes that reflect characters' personalities, time periods, and story settings. They collaborate with directors and production teams to develop wardrobe concepts, source fabrics, and oversee costume construction, often using design software and attending fittings throughout filming.
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Infographic showing various Film Costume Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,817 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Skydance
See more jobs at Skydanceexternal

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

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.