How much does a costume attendant make?
The median costume attendant in the United States earns $50,400 per year, about $24.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all costume attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-3092.
Costume attendant salary range
Pay for costume attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,150 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $109,520. The average (mean) wage of $63,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,610 | $18.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,400 | $24.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,680 | $37.34 | |
| 90th percentile | $109,520 | $52.66 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for costume attendants (SOC 39-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Costume attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Costume attendants earn the most in New York at $95,230 a year, and the least in Texas at $28,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $95,230 | 950 |
| Georgia | $94,890 | 100 |
| California | $72,030 | 1,620 |
| Washington | $64,650 | 120 |
| Colorado | $57,960 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $57,660 | 30 |
| Nevada | $55,640 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $55,190 | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $53,290 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $52,000 | 80 |
| Oregon | $51,680 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,270 | 260 |
| Illinois | $49,170 | 140 |
| Utah | $47,850 | 140 |
| Virginia | $46,790 | 40 |
| Ohio | $46,330 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $45,220 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $45,010 | 100 |
| Connecticut | $44,550 | 60 |
| Missouri | $40,800 | 110 |
| Florida | $40,680 | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $38,470 | 160 |
| Arizona | $37,430 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $37,240 | 40 |
| Alabama | $35,910 | 50 |
| Indiana | $34,160 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $33,920 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $33,510 | 50 |
| Michigan | $31,920 | 80 |
| Texas | $28,440 | 550 |
State median wages for costume attendants (SOC 39-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for costume attendants
The BLS projects employment of costume attendants to grow 5.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for costume attendants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a costume attendant
The typical entry-level education for costume attendants is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a costume attendant earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $95,230) and the lowest (Texas, $28,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,510 people work as costume attendants in the United States. At $50,400 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Costume attendant salary FAQ
How much does a costume attendant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a costume attendant is $24.23. The middle half of costume attendants earn between $18.56 and $37.34 per hour.
What is the highest costume attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of costume attendants earn more than $109,520 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a costume attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for a costume attendant is $50,400. The average (mean) wage of $63,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a costume attendant a well paid job?
At $50,400 a year, a costume attendant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,510 people work as costume attendants in the United States.
Which state pays costume attendants the most?
New York has the highest median salary for costume attendants at $95,230 a year. Georgia ($94,890) and California ($72,030) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a costume attendant a good career?
Employment of costume attendants is projected to grow 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a costume attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for costume attendants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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