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Historical Costume Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conduct thorough research on historical periods, cultural styles, and specific character backgrounds to ensure accuracy and authenticity in costume design. Interpret scripts to understand the ...

Woodside, CA (Our historic 654-acre estate) Pay Rate: $26.00 / hour Status: Seasonal (Flexible ... All costumes, makeup, and accessories are fully provided by Filoli! At Filoli, we connect a rich ...

Research historical periods, styles, and character needs within the script * Develop costume concepts and design presentations that align with the director's vision * Create and/or assemble costumes ...

Costume Shop Staff

Sunrise, FL · On-site

$400 - $1.0K/wk

Advanced knowledge of costume construction history and techniques including technical skills for pleating and multiple sleeve designs as well as tailoring skills. * Ability to operate multiple types ...

Costume Shop Staff

Sunrise, FL · On-site

$400 - $1.0K/wk

Advanced knowledge of costume construction history and techniques including technical skills for pleating and multiple sleeve designs as well as tailoring skills. * Ability to operate multiple types ...

We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of ... Reporting to the Production Manager, the Costume Manager leads teams of student designers ...

We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of ... Reporting to the Production Manager, the Costume Manager leads teams of student designers ...

We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of ... Reporting to the Production Manager, the Costume Manager leads teams of student designers ...

We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of ... Reporting to the Production Manager, the Costume Manager leads teams of student designers ...

Costume Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Excellent knowledge of design techniques, techniques of execution, and crafts, knowledge of costume history * Excellent communication skills, excellent organizational skills, basic accounting * MS ...

Knowledge of theatrical garment construction and historical sewing. * Knowledge, ability, and experience in costume coordination or costume design. * Excellent hand and machine sewing skills.

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Historical Costume information

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How much do historical costume jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for historical costume in the United States is $19.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $19.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a historical costume?

A Historical Costume job involves designing, creating, or curating period-accurate clothing for theater, film, museums, or reenactments. Professionals in this field research historical fashion, source authentic materials, and use traditional sewing techniques to replicate garments from specific time periods. They may work as costume designers, textile conservators, or wardrobe specialists to ensure historical accuracy in productions or exhibitions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the historical costume position, and why are they important?

To thrive in historical costume design, you need strong skills in fashion design, garment construction, period research, and an understanding of textile history, often supported by a relevant degree or certification in costume or fashion design. Familiarity with sewing machines, pattern-making software, and historical reference databases is essential for accuracy and efficiency. Attention to detail, creativity, strong communication, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for collaborating with directors, performers, and other designers. These combined abilities ensure historically accurate, visually impactful costumes that enhance productions and meet rigorous professional standards.

What are some common challenges faced by historical costume professionals, and how are they addressed?

One of the main challenges in historical costume work is balancing historical accuracy with practicality and budget constraints. Designers must frequently adapt authentic styles to suit modern materials, the needs of performers, and the demands of the production schedule. Effective collaboration with directors, set designers, and wardrobe supervisors is essential to ensure costumes function well on stage or screen while maintaining the desired aesthetic. Professionals often address these challenges through thorough research, creative problem-solving, and strong project management skills, leading to successful and authentic visual storytelling.

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What cities are hiring for Historical Costume jobs?

Cities with the most Historical Costume job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Historical Costume jobs?

The most popular types of Historical Costume jobs are:

What states have the most Historical Costume jobs?

States with the most job openings for Historical Costume jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Historical Costume jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Historical Costume jobs are:

Infographic showing various Historical Costume job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,987 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Costume Shop Director, UCI Arts

Irvine, CA • On-site


University of California, Irvine
Education • 10K+ employees

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 623 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$32.42/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Who We Are
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
The Claire Trevor School of the Arts (UCI Arts) at the University of California, Irvine, creates transformative experiences through an interconnected, diverse and innovative community of artists and scholars.
As the only UC school encompassing art, dance, drama and music, reflected in its four departments, UCI Arts fosters creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually. With a focus on academic rigor, technology and a commitment to inclusivity, students engage in over 150 annual exhibitions, performances and workshops while preparing for a wide range of professional careers. As part of a comprehensive research university, UCI Arts offers students the unique opportunity to pursue artistic and academic excellence as mutually informative endeavors. Our embrace of double majors and interdisciplinary as well as cross-school collaborations provides students with opportunities to develop as leaders in their fields.
Rooted in Southern California's vibrant cultural landscape in Orange County, UCI Arts maintains deep connections with regional, national, and global arts organizations and practitioners. These relationships expand UCI Arts' resources for students, providing career pathway-oriented opportunities, including internships and industry partnerships. Students can also gain professional experience through activities in our two professional galleries, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Beall Center for Art + Technology (see further information below).
UCI Arts' dynamic faculty, distinguished by their leadership in their creative practice, mentor students to become engaged global citizens. Our alumni launch into careers of impact, making significant contributions across both the arts and other sectors.
Your Role on the Team
Under the general direction of the Production Manager, the Costume Shop Director manages the costume shop for UCI Arts in a fast-paced, multi-venue, multi-production environment. The position oversees the planning, construction, alteration, pulling, rental, purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of costumes, wigs, makeup, crafts, accessories, and related costume elements for productions and events. The Costume Shop Director supervises costume shop staff, overhire, student employees, and assigned student crews; coordinates fittings and costume production schedules; manages costume budgets and purchasing; maintains safe shop practices; and collaborates with designers, directors, choreographers, faculty, stage management, and Production Management to support the artistic, academic, and operational needs of UCI Arts.
What It Takes to be Successful
Required:
  • Advanced knowledge of costume design, construction techniques, fitting practices, alterations, wardrobe processes, and historical costume construction.
  • Costume experience in a university, educational, regional or professional theatre environment.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of costume materials and equipment, including fabrics, notions, craft supplies, dyes, adhesives, industrial and domestic sewing machines, steam irons, cutting tools, dress forms, and related costume shop equipment.
  • Demonstrated experience in supervising staff student workers, and/or overhire, including organizing workflow, delegating responsibility, assigning work, training, scheduling, and supporting performance management.
  • Good knowledge and skills in financial and personnel administration, including budget tracking, purchasing, rentals, payroll/labor tracking, reconciliation, inventory, and compliance.
  • Demonstrated experience in theatrical cutting, draping, stitching, alterations, dyeing, crafts, and/or costume production in a fast-paced, multi-production environment.
  • Knowledge of standard safety procedures as outlined by university and OSHA guidelines. Ability to determine, implement, instruct and maintain safety in the Costume Shop.
  • Ability to set priorities, organize work, manage competing deadlines, and coordinate costume shop workflow across multiple productions, venues, fittings, rehearsals, and production calendars.
  • Ability to train and supervise students in costume shop practices, safety, equipment use, production responsibilities, and appropriate professional standards in an academic production environment.
  • Good verbal and interpersonal communication skills to communicate complex instructions and information to to students, staff, faculty, designers, directors, choreographers, stage management, Production Management, and other constituencies.
  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
  • 4-6 years Costume shop management

Total Rewards
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
The estimated budgeted range for this role is $65,700 - $90,400.
Conditions of Employment:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
  • Background Check and Live Scan
  • Employment Misconduct*
  • Legal Right to work in the United States
  • Vaccination Policies
  • Smoking and Tobacco Policy
  • Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
  • California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
  • E-Verify
  • Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
Closing Statement:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization


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