Costume Attendants

SOC code 39-3092 · O*NET-SOC 39-3092.00 · Little to some preparation needed

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Costume Attendants pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$50,400

a year

Hourly

$24.23

per hour

10th$32,150Median$50,40090th$109,520

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$63,440

$30.50 per hour

Middle 50%

$38,610 – $77,680

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$32,150 – $109,520

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

6,510

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $32,150; $15.46/hr
25th percentile: $38,610; $18.56/hr
Median percentile: $50,400; $24.23/hr
75th percentile: $77,680; $37.34/hr
90th percentile: $109,520; $52.66/hr

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.

How to become a costume attendant

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 32% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

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.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)32%
Bachelor's Degree30%
Some College Courses15%
Less than a High School Diploma10%

Common questions

How much does a costume attendant earn?

The national median is $50,400 a year. The full range runs from $32,150 at the 10th percentile to $109,520 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a costume attendant without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.1/5
Speaking3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Critical Thinking2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Fine Arts3.6/5
Design3.2/5
Production and Processing3.2/5
Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
English Language3.1/5
Psychology3.1/5
Administration and Management3.0/5
Mechanical2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Persuasion, Negotiation.