Costume Attendants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Costume Attendants fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Costume Attendants earn a median salary of $54,810 per year, ranking in the top 56% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do costume attendants earn?

The median annual wage for costume attendants is $54,810. That puts costume attendants at #455 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is costume attendants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for costume attendants is +5.9%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 6K positions in 2024 to 7K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do costume attendants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working costume attendants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
2. 2.Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
3. 3.Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
4. 4.Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
5. 5.Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
6. 6.Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
7. 7.Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
8. 8.Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.

Top skills for costume attendants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become costume attendant?

Many costume attendants enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
  $61,590 median
• Embalmers
  $56,280 median
• Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
  $50,280 median
• Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
  $49,800 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
  $47,080 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
  $46,900 median

Common questions parents ask about costume attendants