Costume Designer Jobs

Costume Designer jobs are open across film, television, theater, and theme parks, at every level from entry-level assistant to lead and department head, with specializations in period costuming, character design, and wardrobe supervision. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles10
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerTown Hall Theatre
Top cityLafayette, CA
Work type60% On-site
Top credentialHigh school

Showing 5 of 10+ Costume Designer jobs

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Assistant/Associate Professor of Theatre: Resident Costume Designer
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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Added 2d ago
Assistant/Associate Professor of Theatre: Resident Costume Designer
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Greensboro, North Carolina
Creative & Design
Graphic Designer
UI/UX Design
Hybrid
Military encouraged

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CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Stipend - Costume Designer (Fall Musical) (SY26-27)
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CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Added 5d ago
Stipend - Costume Designer (Fall Musical) (SY26-27)
CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Creative & Design
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
501-1,000

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University of North Dakota
Costume Designer
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University of North Dakota
Added 1w ago
Costume Designer
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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T
Costume Designer - Educational Theater
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T
Added 2w ago
Costume Designer - Educational Theater
Town Hall Theatre
Lafayette, California
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
On-Site

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Rise Music & Dance
Costume Designer - Children's Theatre
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Rise Music & Dance
Added 2w ago
Costume Designer - Children's Theatre
Rise Music & Dance
Houston, Texas
Construction Management
Program Management
Project Management
On-Site

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See All 10 Costume Designer Jobs

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Costume Designer Job Market

Who's Hiring

T
Town Hall Theatre1 open role
Rise Music & Dance
Rise Music & Dance1 open role
CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS1 open role

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in costume designer jobs.

  • Demonstrated portfolio of work across film, television, stage, or theme park productions
  • Proficiency in sketching, rendering, and costume illustration by hand or digitally
  • Experience sourcing, budgeting, and managing a wardrobe department
  • Knowledge of garment construction, fabric types, and period-accurate dressmaking techniques
  • Familiarity with costume breakdown documentation, continuity tracking, and script analysis
  • Bachelor's degree in costume design, fashion design, theater arts, or a related field

Tips for Your Costume Designer Job Search

Tailor your resume to the medium

Film and television productions prioritize different skills than theater or theme parks. Highlight the specific medium on your resume for each application, and lead with the most relevant credits rather than listing everything in chronological order.

Build a portfolio organized by project type

Hiring directors want to see your range quickly. Organize your portfolio into sections by medium or genre, such as period drama, contemporary film, or stage production, so reviewers can immediately find work that matches what they are casting for.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists costume designer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Quantify your production scale on applications

Vague credits leave hiring teams guessing. Note the budget tier, episode count, or ensemble size for each production you list. A showrunner reading your materials wants to know whether you have managed wardrobe for ten actors or a hundred.

Prepare a lookbook or mood board for interviews

Many costume designer interviews include a design challenge or ask you to pitch your vision for a character. Arrive with at least one prepared mood board that demonstrates your research process and aesthetic instincts, not just finished garments.

Negotiate your design fee separately from labor

On union and independent productions alike, your design fee and your on-set labor days can be negotiated as separate line items. Know both rates before any offer conversation, and confirm in writing which guild or agreement, if any, governs your contract.

Costume Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most costume designers?

The most active employers for costume designers right now are Town Hall Theatre, Rise Music & Dance, and CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, and the most openings are in California, Iowa, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand tends to concentrate wherever active productions are in pre-production or principal photography.

How many costume designer jobs are remote?

About 40% of costume designer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is lower than many creative roles because wardrobe work is largely hands-on. Sub-areas most likely to allow remote work include conceptual design, illustration, and costume research, where deliverables can be completed and shared digitally without being on set.

How do you become a costume designer?

Most costume designers build their path through a combination of formal training and on-set experience. Start by completing a degree or certificate in costume design, theater arts, or fashion. Then work entry-level roles such as wardrobe assistant or costume coordinator to learn production workflow. Build credits across short films, regional theater, or student productions, assemble a portfolio, and work toward union eligibility as your career advances.

How do you get hired as a costume designer with little or no experience?

Entry without credits is common in this field because most designers begin as production assistants or wardrobe interns on low-budget projects. Volunteer on student films, community theater, or local music videos to generate real credits fast. A focused portfolio showing your design process, not just finished looks, matters more than the size of the production at the early stage.

What does the costume designer interview process look like?

Most costume designer interviews begin with a portfolio review where you walk through past projects and explain your design decisions. A second round often includes a design brief or character analysis exercise to assess your research and concept process. Some employers, especially in film and television, also conduct informal conversations with the director or showrunner to assess creative compatibility before extending an offer.

Where can I find and apply to costume designer jobs?

You can find and apply to costume designer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to each listing that fits.

See All 10 Costume Designer Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Costume Designer Jobs