Costume Designer Salary

Average Costume Designer Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$84,344 Per Year

Salary Range: $38,575 to $131,562

Costume Designer Salary

$38,575

10%

$52,197

25% 

$ 84,344

AVERAGE

$101,566

75%  

$131,562

90%  

How Much Does a Costume Designer Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Costume Designer is $84,344 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $84,344 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop – Graphics or photo imaging software

Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign – Desktop publishing software

JavaScript – Web platform development software

Autodesk Revit – Computer aided design CAD software

SAS software – Analytical or scientific software

Knowledge and Expertise

Design

Production and Processing

Administration and Management

Sales and Marketing

Education and Training

Customer and Personal Service

Soft Skills

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Speaking

Active Learning

Social Perceptiveness

Coordination

What is the salary range of a Costume Designer?

Costume Designer salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $84,344 but a Costume Designer can earn a base salary anywhere from $38,575 to $131,562 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Costume Designer job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Costume Designer?

The highest Costume Designer salaries in the top 10% earn more than $131,562 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $101,566 and $131,562 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Costume Designer?

The lowest Costume Designer salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $38,575 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $38,575 and $52,197 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Costume Designer?

If we only look at the data for Costume Designer salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Costume Designer job would be over $84,344 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Costume Designer would be anything over the top 75%, which is $101,566 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Costume Designer?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Costume Designer. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Costume Designer?

The top paying industries for a Costume Designer job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Wholesale Trade
  • Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
  • Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Costume Designer Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Costume Designer would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Costume Designer, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Costume Designer make good money?

 In general, a Costume Designer can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Costume Designer salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Costume Designer pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 131,562 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 38,575 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Costume Designer, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Costume Designer will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Costume Designer?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Costume Designer in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Costume Designer is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Costume Designer?

The money a Costume Designer can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Costume Designer earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.