Costume designer salary

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Costume designer salary

51 700 SEK

Other designers and creators

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

40 500 - 55 100 SEK / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

Average salary 51 700 SEK/month Monthly gross salary
Salary range 40 500 - 55 100 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Calculate take-home pay for Costume designer 51 700 SEK/month prefilled Calculate gross salary for Costume designer Start from net pay More salary pages Browse more roles Open jobs for Costume designer 21 matching jobs in Kultur, media, design

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Salary trend About the role What does a Costume Designer do? – Tasks and Work Environment Salary Development Over Time Costume Designer Salary – Complete Overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Costume designer

Average salary 51 700 kr
Males 54 600 kr
Females 49 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 21 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Costume Designer do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Costume Designer is responsible for creating and developing costumes and clothing for theater, film, TV productions, and sometimes advertising or events. The role involves interpreting scripts, collaborating with directors and set designers, and conveying characters' personalities and the story's era through clothing. The work environment can vary greatly and often includes creative studios, textile workshops, and filming locations. Sometimes, presence on set during rehearsals or filming is required for quick changes and adjustments. The Costume Designer often works on a project basis with varying workload depending on the scope of the production and deadlines.

Salary Development Over Time

Over the past three years, "Costume Designer salary" has fluctuated slightly. In 2022, the average salary was 47,400 kronor per month, followed by a slight decrease to 48 100 kronor in 2023. By 2024, the salary has increased to 51 700 kronor, representing an approximate 3.9% rise from the previous year. This variation may be due to changing demand in the industry, the number of major productions, and increased requirements for specialized skills. Additionally, project-based employment and competition for assignments influence salary trends over time. Despite periods of slower growth, a positive trend is visible where skills and experience from larger productions are increasingly rewarded.

Costume Designer Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 51 700 kr/month
  • Lowest salary: 39,200 kr/month (men), 42,900 kr/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 54,200 kr/month (men), 52,200 kr/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 289 kr
  • Gender differences: Men earn 54 600 kr, women 49 400 kr (women 91% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Specific data is lacking, but variations may occur depending on proximity to major production centers

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Costume Designer, a creative education in textiles, fashion, or design is usually required, often at university level. Many also complete supplementary courses in set design or film, and work samples or internships are often necessary. Creativity, technical understanding, and good collaboration skills are important qualities, along with a sense for materials, color, and form.

  • Formal education: Artistic university degree in textiles, fashion, or design (3–4 years)
  • Courses/certificates: Additional training in set design, film, or theater production
  • Internships: Internships or trainee programs are common and advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Work samples and previous projects may be required when applying
  • Self-study: Online courses and personal portfolios can enhance job prospects

Costume Designers often work closely with actors and directors, requiring sensitivity and the ability to adapt quickly to creative changes. Many productions involve tight deadlines and unforeseen challenges, where flexibility and problem-solving are crucial for success.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Costume Designers often have access to work tools and materials provided by the production, and may be covered by collective agreements with overtime pay for evening and weekend work. Some employers offer wellness contributions, professional development, and opportunities to participate in international projects. Variable working hours and project bonuses may occur in larger productions.

Competition and Challenges

The profession of Costume Designer is highly competitive, especially for major film and theater productions where the number of positions is limited. Since the job market is often project-based, continuous networking and self-promotion are necessary. Challenges include irregular workloads, seasonal variations, and sometimes uncertainty about the next assignment. The industry demands both creative excellence and technical skill, along with the ability to handle stress and meet deadlines under pressure.

Tips for Aspiring Costume Designers

To succeed as a Costume Designer, combining creativity with a structured approach and a keen eye for detail is beneficial. Building a broad portfolio of personal projects and actively seeking internships provides valuable experience and contacts. Good communication and social skills facilitate collaboration with directors and teams, while flexibility helps manage rapid changes in production. A genuine interest in materials, fashion history, and contemporary trends provides a solid foundation, and patience and perseverance are important during busy periods. Being curious and continuously updating skills opens doors to new opportunities and specializations within the profession.

Key Facts about Costume Designers

  • Education level: University degree in textiles, fashion, or design (3–4 years)
  • Work environment: Project-based, often on set or in studios
  • Typical employment: Fixed-term assignments or freelance
  • Demand: Around 620 job openings in Sweden
  • Special skills: Material science, color and form, collaboration skills

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a Costume Designer can advance to leading roles such as head designer or work on larger film, TV, or theater productions. Some choose to specialize in areas like historical costumes, digital design, or work internationally. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no specific forecast for the profession, but within the category "Other designers and visual artists," about 620 job openings are reported, indicating some demand. Future prospects depend on the scope of productions and investments in the cultural sector. Since the profession is project-based, ongoing networking and staying updated on new techniques and trends are essential to remain competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions about Costume Designers

  • What is the average salary of a Costume Designer?
    - The average salary is 51 700 kronor per month.
  • What are the gender differences in Costume Designer salaries?
    - Men earn an average of 54 600 kronor, women 49 400 kronor, which means women earn 91% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a Costume Designer?
    - Typically, a university degree in textiles, fashion, or design, along with work samples and internships.
  • What is the job market like for Costume Designers?
    - There are approximately 620 job openings, but competition is high, and work is often project-based.
  • Are there regional salary differences for Costume Designers?
    - Specific data is lacking, but variations may occur depending on proximity to major production centers.
  • What is the highest salary for a Costume Designer?
    - The highest salary is 54,200 kronor per month for men and 52,200 kronor for women.
  • What is the lowest salary for a Costume Designer?
    - The lowest salary is 39,200 kronor for men and 42,900 kronor for women.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 06:43:12

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Costume designer is 55100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Private sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 51900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Costume designer is 40500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 44600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 47300 kr 47400 kr
35-44 94% 51800 kr 52100 kr
45-54 55400 kr 56000 kr
55-64 55700 kr 56200 kr
Snitt 91% 51300 kr 51700 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Costume designer has the SSYK code 2179, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 390
Net salary
31 390
Taxes
11 718
Fees
12 582

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

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* Updated with 2026 taxes

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