Wardrobe assistant | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Wardrobe assistants help to make, find and look after clothes and costumes used in theatre, film and TV productions.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major

Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.
Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.
Purchase, rent, or requisition costumes or other wardrobe necessities.
Study books, pictures, or examples of period clothing to determine styles worn during specific periods in history.
Return borrowed or rented items when productions are complete and return other items to storage.
Review scripts or other production information to determine a story's locale or period, as well as the number of characters and required costumes.
Inventory stock to determine types or conditions of available costuming.
Direct the work of wardrobe crews during dress rehearsals or performances.
Participate in the hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision of alteration workers.
Provide managers with budget recommendations and take responsibility for budgetary line items related to costumes, storage, or makeup needs.
Assign lockers to employees and maintain locker rooms, dressing rooms, wig rooms, or costume storage or laundry areas.

Average salary
48,627 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Wardrobe assistant

Average salary for full-time Wardrobe assistant

Showing:

48,627 GBP

Salary over time for Wardrobe assistant

Pay for this role has decreased slightly over time

35,168 GBP
48,627 GBP
48,627 GBP
27,391 GBP

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Future outlook for Wardrobe assistants

Balanced outlook

Fair outlook

-4% yearly wage growth (on average)

Balanced outlook

44% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Wardrobe assistant and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

32% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
30% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
15% of people in this role have a certificate of higher education or equivalent but no degree

You could start by doing a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job, for example:

Level 2 Certificate in Fashion
Level 3 Certificate in Theatre Support Costume and Wardrobe

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Wardrobe assistant

Sewing

What technical skills do I need?

Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Wardrobe assistant. Check that you know:

Data base user interface and query software Database software

Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook

Internet browser software Web browser software

Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Word processing software Microsoft Word

Improve your skills today

Sewing

Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. Innovation Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

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Wardrobe assistant | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Wardrobe assistants

Wardrobe assistant - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

What technical skills do I need?

Things to highlight for your Wardrobe assistant interview

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