As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for costume design in District of Columbia is $77,561, equivalent to $37 per hour, $1,492 weekly, or $6,463 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for costume design in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for costume design in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $63,542 to $91,602. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($70,223) and 75th percentile ($84,910), while top earners (90th percentile) make $91,602 per year. This $14,687 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Collaboration or Product Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia costume design often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 66 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for costume design job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
costume design Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile costume design Salary $63,542 DC August 01, 2026
25th Percentile costume design Salary $70,223 DC August 01, 2026
50th Percentile costume design Salary $77,561 DC August 01, 2026
75th Percentile costume design Salary $84,910 DC August 01, 2026
90th Percentile costume design Salary $91,602 DC August 01, 2026
25% $70,223 10% $63,542 90% $91,602 75% $84,910 $77,561 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a costume design ?

Costume designers play a crucial role in the visual storytelling of film, television, theater, and other performance arts. They are responsible for creating the overall look of characters through clothing and accessories, ensuring that costumes align with the narrative, setting, and character development. The salary for costume designers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, location, and the scale of the production. Entry-level positions may start at a lower salary, while experienced designers working on major productions can earn significantly more. Freelance costume designe...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $82,965 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $82,968 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $82,969 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $82,968 Date Updated August 01, 2026
Job Openings for costume design in District of Columbia

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    costume design

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Industrial Designer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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