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Costume designer vs stylist

The differences between costume designers and stylists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a costume designer, becoming a stylist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a costume designer has an average salary of $54,229, which is higher than the $37,985 average annual salary of a stylist.

The top three skills for a costume designer include costumes, make-up and costume shop. The most important skills for a stylist are good time management, POS, and data entry.

Costume designer vs stylist overview

Costume DesignerStylist
Yearly salary$54,229$37,985
Hourly rate$26.07$18.26
Growth rate3%11%
Number of jobs47,32349,296
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3740
Years of experience62

Costume designer vs stylist salary

Costume designers and stylists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Costume DesignerStylist
Average salary$54,229$37,985
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $84,000Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityCamarillo, CADenver, CO
Highest paying stateRhode IslandWashington
Best paying companyPoly Prep Country Day SchoolColumbia International University
Best paying industryProfessionalHospitality

Differences between costume designer and stylist education

There are a few differences between a costume designer and a stylist in terms of educational background:

Costume DesignerStylist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorGraphic DesignCosmetology
Most common collegeCornell University-

Costume designer vs stylist demographics

Here are the differences between costume designers' and stylists' demographics:

Costume DesignerStylist
Average age3740
Gender ratioMale, 19.3% Female, 80.7%Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.6% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage18%12%

Differences between costume designer and stylist duties and responsibilities

Costume designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage all daily costume distributions and collection, laundering and maintenance/repair of costumes.
  • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
  • Design and sew children's Halloween costumes.
  • Contribute in production and on set as an assistant dressing the actors, maintaining the costumes, and setting up/organizing wardrobe.
  • Source cut and sew knits in NYC garment district.
  • Sketch, pattern and sew costume for cast including accessories.
  • Show more

Stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage salon, payroll, purchasing and inventory utilizing corporate policies.
  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Perform general receptionist tasks such as answering phones, using POS system, handling money transactions, and scheduling appointments.
  • Create personal``Lookbooks"for clients through social media.
  • Assist in marketing and social media via Instagram, Facebook and USD club meetings.
  • Contract great clips for service to hire temps on a temporary basis to assist shifts salons need.
  • Show more

Costume designer vs stylist skills

Common costume designer skills
  • Costumes, 27%
  • Make-Up, 9%
  • Costume Shop, 8%
  • Design Concepts, 8%
  • Character Development, 7%
  • Wardrobe, 5%
Common stylist skills
  • Good Time Management, 14%
  • POS, 11%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Excellent Training, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%

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