Costume shop jobs are jobs building, fitting, altering and caring for costumes in theater, film, television, theme parks and other entertainment settings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counts much of this work under costume attendants, an occupation with 6,600 jobs in 2025. Unlike most sewing occupations, it is projected to grow.
This guide covers the main costume shop and wardrobe jobs, what they pay, the training and unions involved, the job outlook, and how to get started. Figures come from the BLS and O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor’s occupation database, and were checked in October 2026.
Costume Shop Roles
O*NET lists these job titles for costume attendants: Costume Draper, Costume Seamstress, Costumer, Draper, Dresser, Wardrobe Assistant, Wardrobe Attendant and Wardrobe Supervisor. The work splits into two broad areas.
Building and Altering Costumes
- Stitchers and costume seamstresses sew costumes, make alterations and do repairs.
- Drapers create patterns for costumes based on a designer’s drawings and fit them on performers. O*NET lists creating patterns from designers’ drawings among the occupation’s tasks.
Running Wardrobe During Productions
- Dressers help performers with costume changes, often very quick ones during a show.
- Wardrobe attendants and assistants clean, press, repair and organize costumes before and after performances.
- Wardrobe supervisors direct the wardrobe crew, manage inventory and budgets, and hire and schedule alteration workers.
What Costume Attendants Do
O*NET lists 23 tasks for the occupation, including:
- Examining costume fit on cast members and noting alterations.
- Designing or constructing costumes, or sending them to tailors for construction, major repairs or alterations.
- Arranging costumes in order of use to make quick changes possible.
- Helping cast members with costume changes, or assigning dressers to them.
- Cleaning and pressing costumes before and after performances, and making minor repairs.
- Checking how costumes look on stage or under lights.
- Studying books and pictures of period clothing to get historical styles right.
- Keeping inventories of costumes, wigs and makeup, and buying or renting items.
- Scheduling costume fittings for actors.
Where the Jobs Are
The BLS lists these industries with the most employed costume attendants in May 2025:
- Performing arts companies, such as theater, opera and dance: 2,320
- Motion picture and video industries: 1,110
- Amusement parks and arcades: 780
- Traveler accommodation: 510
- Colleges and universities: 400
The states with the most were California (1,620), New York (950), Florida (670), Texas (550) and Nevada (390).
Pay
The median annual wage for costume attendants was $50,400 in May 2025, or $24.23 an hour, according to the BLS. That is higher than for most other sewing occupations.
Pay varies widely. The BLS gives this spread of annual wages for May 2025:
- Lowest 10%: less than $32,150
- 25th percentile: $38,610
- Median: $50,400
- 75th percentile: $77,680
- Highest 10%: more than $109,520
The median is the wage at which half the workers earned more and half earned less.
Unions
Many costume and wardrobe workers in major entertainment centers are union members. Two examples:
- Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764, IATSE, represents wardrobe workers and technicians, set costumers, tailors, crafts artisans, dressers and stitchers in the New York City area, for both live events and film and television.
- Motion Picture Costumers Local 705, IATSE, describes itself as the largest union of costume artisans and craftspeople in film and television, with roles from dyers and drapers to fitters and finished costumers. It dates to 1937.
Training and Education
The BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for costume attendants, with short-term on-the-job training. In practice, education levels vary. In O*NET’s survey, 32% of respondents said new hires need a high school diploma, 15% said some college, and 30% said a bachelor’s degree.
Possible ways into the field include:
- Theater or costume design programs at colleges and universities.
- Working in a college, community or regional theater costume shop.
- Seasonal work at summer theaters or theme parks.
- Starting as a dresser or wardrobe assistant and moving into stitching or draping.
Skills Employers Look For
- Strong sewing and alteration skills, by hand and machine.
- Fitting and pattern skills, especially for drapers.
- Teamwork. In O*NET’s survey, 90% said working with a team is extremely important.
- Working under time pressure. 46% face time pressure every day.
- Organization. Tracking costumes, pieces and changes across a whole production.
- Knowledge of period clothing for historical productions.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects that employment of costume attendants will grow by 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3% average for all occupations. That is about 400 new jobs.
Why Employment Is Expected to Grow
The industries that employ costume attendants are projected to grow. The BLS projects that from 2025 to 2035, employment will grow by 3.1% in performing arts companies, 3.6% in motion picture and video industries, and 8.2% among promoters of performing arts, sports and similar events. Output in the performing arts is projected to grow by about 2.1% a year.
How to Get a Costume Shop Job
- Search several titles. Try stitcher, costume technician, draper, dresser, wardrobe assistant and costume shop assistant.
- Contact theaters, opera and dance companies. Performing arts companies employ the most costume attendants.
- Look at theme parks and resorts. Amusement parks and hotels with shows employ wardrobe staff.
- Check college and university theaters. They employ costume staff and train students.
- Learn about local unions. Unions such as IATSE Locals 764 and 705 explain how to join on their websites.
- Build a portfolio. Photos of costumes you have built, altered or maintained, with notes on techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do costume shop workers make?
The BLS median for costume attendants was $50,400 a year in May 2025, though pay ranges widely.
Do I need a degree to work in a costume shop?
Not always. The BLS lists a high school diploma as typical, though 30% of O*NET survey respondents said new hires need a bachelor’s degree.
Are costume jobs growing?
Yes. The BLS projects 6% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, as the performing arts and film industries grow.
Related Guides
- Sewing Jobs: Types, Pay and Where to Find Work
- Alterations Jobs: Working as an Alterations Specialist or Tailor
- Sample Sewer and Patternmaker Jobs in Fashion
Sources: BLS – Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail, BLS – OEWS Profiles, May 2025, BLS – Employment and Output by Industry, 2025–35, O*NET – Costume Attendants, Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764 and Motion Picture Costumers Local 705.
