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How to hire a draper

Draper hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring drapers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a draper is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new draper to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a draper, step by step

To hire a draper, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a draper:

Here's a step-by-step draper hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a draper job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new draper
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your draper job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a draper for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a draper to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a draper that fits the bill.

    This list presents draper salaries for various positions.

    Type of DraperDescriptionHourly rate
    Draper$10-40
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Sketch
    • Costumes
    Responsibilities:
    • Administer projects including but not limit to embroidery, digitizing and preventive maintenance.
    • Construct costumes for main stage and tour productions.
    • Drape costumes for small regional theater during summer months
    • Drape and execute first Draper/Patternmaker pattern from sketch.
    • Work closely with embroidery machine operators and art department to ensure quality and consistency.
    • Utilize theory develop specifically for nonlinear and stochastic systems, and MatLab to modify relevant programs and simulations.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your draper job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A draper salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, drapers' average salary in oregon is 51% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level drapers earn 74% less than senior-level drapers.
    • Certifications. A draper with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a draper's salary.

    Average draper salary

    $43,867yearly

    $21.09 hourly rate

    Entry-level draper salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average draper salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$51,815$25
    2Washington$33,390$16
    3Florida$32,398$16
    4Colorado$32,300$16
    5Utah$30,680$15
    6Oklahoma$29,926$14

    Average draper salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1University of Colorado Boulder$53,230$25.59
    2University of Oklahoma$45,994$22.11
    3Salt Lake County$45,593$21.921
    4Norwegian Cruise Line$35,088$16.87
    5ManpowerGroup$31,417$15.10
    6The Glimmerglass Festival$29,955$14.40
    7Les Schwab Tire Centers$26,038$12.52
  4. Writing a draper job description

    A draper job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a draper job description:

    Draper job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary: $38-$40 per hour based on experience

    New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of spectacular dancers and an unparalleled repertory. Founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, New York City Ballet quickly became world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, New York City Ballet is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers. The School of American Ballet is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet.


    Position Summary

    Reporting directly to the Manager, Costume Shop, the Tailor/Draper will be responsible for draping, tailoring, pattern making and cutting for the women’s/men's departments, for all new productions. The individual in this position will also be responsible for the rebuilding and refurbishing of existing productions. The Tailor/Draper is a union represented role and the successful candidate is required to join Local 764 within 31 days of employment.


    Major Duties & Responsibilities:

    • Will use expertise to tailor, drape and cut costumes designs.
    • Utilize advanced pattern making skills for new costume designs.
    • Work with various stretch fabrications, unique and intricate textiles and embellishments.
    • Facilitate fittings for dancers.
    • Must complete projects in a time sensitive manner.


    Minimum Requirements:

    • Advanced draping, pattern making & cutting skills
    • Must have excellent organization & time management skills
    • Great communication skills
    • Close attention to detail required
    • Experience with men’s clothing and costumes construction helpful
    • Advanced sewing techniques required, both machine & hand sewing
    • Experience crafting ballet costumes, tutus, & stretch fabric preferred
    • Minimum of 5 years professional costume shop experience required
    • Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and lift a minimum of 20 lbs


    **This position will require an on-site sewing assessment**


    Other Duties

    Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


    NOTE: New York City Ballet has a vaccine policy that requires all employees to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. A medical or religious exemption to this policy may be granted if a reasonable accommodation exists that will enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. Exemptions or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed.

    New York City Ballet is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status, familial status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to extent required by applicable law, credit history or any other characteristic protected by law.

    Statement of Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    New York City Ballet, one of the foremost ballet companies in the world, pursues the highest levels of artistic excellence and innovation. Therefore, we seek to attract, retain, and cultivate the most talented dancers, musicians, designers, stage technicians, and arts administrators. To this end, we are deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values diversity, inclusion, and equity. We are inspired by our founders, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who envisioned an authentically American expression of ballet with a company that reflects the rich cultural diversity of this nation. In pursuit of their vision, we are committed to educating, developing, and supporting an organization that embodies diversity in its many forms.

  5. Post your job

    To find drapers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any drapers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level drapers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your draper job on Zippia to find and recruit draper candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit drapers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new draper

    Once you have selected a candidate for the draper position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new draper. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a draper?

Recruiting drapers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Drapers earn a median yearly salary is $43,867 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find drapers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $10 and $40.

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