How much does a Costume designer make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Costume designer
Image that illustrates Costume designer

Costume designer

48 100 kr

Other designers and creators

39 200 - 54 200 kr / month

Women earn 84% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Costume designer

Average salary 48 100 kr
Males 53 800 kr
Females 44 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 8 Vacant jobs ->

What does a costume designer do? – Tasks and work environment

Costume designers work on creating and visualizing costumes for theater, film, TV, opera, and stage productions. The work involves interpreting scripts and the director's vision, researching historical periods and styles, as well as sketching and finalizing costume proposals. Collaboration with other creative professionals, such as set designers and makeup artists, is central to the role. The work environment is often dynamic and project-based, with some periods being intense with tight deadlines, while others are characterized by planning and preparations. Many costume designers work as freelancers or on temporary contracts within the cultural sector.

Salary development over time

The salary for costume designers has varied slightly over recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 47,400 SEK per month, while in 2023 it decreased slightly to 46 300 SEK. During 2024, the salary increased significantly to 48 100 SEK, representing an increase of about 3.8% compared to the previous year. This development reflects an increased demand for creative roles as the culture and entertainment industry recovers and expands. Salary differences between genders remain, with women earning on average 84% of men's salaries. Overall, salary levels are influenced by experience, education, and employer sector, with private employers often offering somewhat higher wages than public sector employers.

Costume designer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 39,200 SEK/month (men), 42,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 54,200 SEK/month (men), 52,200 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 289 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 84% of what men do
  • Regional differences: No specific regional salary data available

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a costume designer often goes through artistic education focused on textiles, fashion, design, or stage arts. Many choose to study at colleges or art programs, sometimes supplemented with specialized courses in costume history or theater production. Practical experience, such as internships or trainee programs at theaters, is highly valuable. Knowledge of sewing and material science is often advantageous, and there are opportunities for self-study and further education through online courses.

  • Formal education: Artistic higher education or vocational training, 2–4 years
  • Certifying courses: Costume design, textiles, fashion, theater production
  • Internships: Strongly recommended in theater, film, or TV production
  • Prerequisites: Basic artistic and textile skills
  • Further education: Online courses and workshops in specialized areas

Costume designers need not only artistic talent but also the ability to quickly adapt to the pace and requirements of different productions. Flexibility and collaboration skills are crucial when working in creative teams where visions constantly evolve.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Costume designers are often offered benefits such as flexible working hours, the possibility of remote work during certain project phases, and access to creative workshops and materials. For longer engagements, perks like wellness allowances, insurance, and pension contributions may also be included, especially with larger employers in the cultural sector.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a costume designer is high, especially for larger productions in theater, film, and TV. Many work as freelancers and must actively network to secure recurring assignments. Because the profession is often project-based, periods with less work can occur, requiring self-motivation and flexibility. Developments in digital design and new production techniques also mean that costume designers need to stay updated. Despite the creative freedom, budget constraints and tight deadlines can be challenging in everyday work.

Tips for aspiring costume designers

To succeed as a costume designer, it’s important to have a strong artistic sense and an eye for detail, which helps in sketching and material selection. Being attentive and communicative facilitates collaboration with directors and others in the production. Flexibility is key, as tasks and conditions can change quickly during a project. Good organizational skills help meet deadlines even when multiple productions are running simultaneously. Building a broad network in the industry increases chances of new assignments, and a willingness to constantly develop and learn new skills is crucial in a field where techniques and trends change rapidly.

Key facts about costume designers

  • Educational level: Higher education or vocational training in art/design
  • Work environment: Project-based, often intense and creative
  • Employment type: Freelance or temporary employment
  • Demand: 620 available jobs within the “Other designers and decorators” profession
  • Special skills: Costume history, material science, drawing/sketching

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, a costume designer can develop into a costume supervisor, mentor, or work more specialized in film, opera, or international productions. Many establish themselves as independent creatives and build their own client base. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts for the “Other designers and decorators” profession, there are 620 available jobs, but no detailed future assessment for costume designers due to limited data. The market is considered stable, but competition remains high, and it is important to be flexible and stay updated with new techniques and trends.

Frequently asked questions about costume designers

  • What is the average salary of a costume designer?
    - A costume designer has an average salary of 48 100 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a costume designer?
    - Typically, a university degree or vocational training in art, design, or textiles.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 84% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the job market like for costume designers?
    - There are 620 available jobs, but competition is high and work is often project-based.
  • What personal qualities are important for success?
    - Creativity, flexibility, teamwork skills, and organizational ability are particularly important.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a costume designer?
    - The highest salary is 54,200 SEK for men and 52,200 SEK for women; the lowest salary is 39,200 SEK for men and 42,900 SEK for women.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-12 06:47:38

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Costume designer is 54200 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 52200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Costume designer is 39200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 42900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 87% 41100 kr 41200 kr
35-44 83% 48000 kr 48100 kr
45-54 82% 57700 kr 58000 kr
55-64 48100 kr 48200 kr
Snitt 84% 47900 kr 48100 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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