How much does a costume attendant make?
Answer: A typical costume attendant in the United States makes $50,400 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 7,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Costume attendant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,150 | $50,400 | $109,520 | about 7,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $95,230 | about 950 |
| California | $72,030 | about 2,000 |
| Florida | $40,680 | about 670 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, sewing and quick-change skills, and how much responsibility the job carries. The kind of production or employer, the city, and how many or what hours you work can also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a costume attendant do?
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
What's a typical day like?
Before the show, they check costume fit, press or mend outfits, and line each one up in change order. During the performance, they help actors change backstage; afterward, they collect and care for the costumes.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high school diploma or equivalent is typical; related experience usually isn’t needed, and short on-the-job training teaches the job. Practice sewing and costume care in school or community shows, then apply for wardrobe-assistant work.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like creating and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
On the touring musical Suffs, one backstage costume change was choreographed to happen in just 10 seconds!
Similar jobs
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Personal Care and Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/39-3092.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- hennepinarts.org/news/quick-changes-big-history-inside-the-wardrobe-world-of-suf
- www.encyclopedia.com/economics/news-and-education-magazines/costume-attendant
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY