Costume Attendants
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Also called: Costume Draper · Costume Seamstress · Costumer · Draper · Dresser · Wardrobe Assistant
Median pay (national)
$54,810
$33,610–$115,240 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
6,290
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.9%
~1,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for costume attendants shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $115,240 versus $33,610 at the bottom 10% — 3.4x. The median of $54,810 leaves roughly 110% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 30 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $80,440, +47% vs the national median), while Alabama sits lowest at $29,450 — a 173% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
Tailor your resume to Costume Attendants
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Costume Attendants
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
- Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
- Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities.
- Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history.
- Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage.
- Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming.
- Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
- Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
- Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
- Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Database software
- Garment tracking software
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts
- Design
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical