Also called: Costume Technician, Draper
Sews and alters costumes in theater, opera, theme park, and film costume shops.
In a costume shop, they might sew a 1700s ball gown from scratch, fix a ripped superhero suit, or add hidden zippers for quick changes. Drapers create patterns by draping fabric on dress forms. Theater shops get hectic before opening night.
Estimate; union theater and film shops pay more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Costume technology programs or on-the-job training.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Costume Technology, Theatre Design & Technology, Fashion Design.
Growing about average. Tied to theater and entertainment production.
Low risk for 10 years. Custom handwork for performers' bodies, quick-change rigging and repairs stay human in costume shops.
Classes: Theater costume crew, Sewing or fashion CTE, Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-6052.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.