Costume maker
Also known as: costume & prop maker, costume builder, set costumer, prop and costume maker, costume and prop maker, costumer
About this occupation
Costume makers construct, sew, stitch, dye, adapt and maintain costumes to be used in live performances and in movies or television programs. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches or finished patterns combined with knowledge of the human body to ensure the wearer maximum range of movement. They work in close cooperation with the designers.
Essential skills and knowledge
- keep up with trends
- finish project within budget
- maintain workshop space
- manage personal professional development
- dressmaking
- understand artistic concepts
- assemble costume parts
- work ergonomically
- work safely with machines
- use manual sewing techniques
- dye fabrics
- work with respect for own safety
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Costume Attendants (O*NET 39-3092.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
- Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
- Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
- Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
- Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
- Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$50,400 a year (2025), 6,510 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (3.6)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.2)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.1)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Fashion Designers
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Sewers, Hand
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
- Interior Designers
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.