How to hire a wardrobe supervisor

How to hire a wardrobe supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step wardrobe supervisor hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your wardrobe supervisor 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 wardrobe supervisor 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?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect wardrobe supervisor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents wardrobe supervisor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Wardrobe Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Wardrobe Supervisor		$9-30
   Stage Manager	A stage manager is someone who oversees theatrical performances and all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows, such as lighting cues, sound, prop usage, and costume changes. The core skills that stage managers should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include excellent attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and work under pressure, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills... Show more	$15-36

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Costumes
   • Costume Changes
   • RAN
   • RUN Sheets
   • Uniform Inventory
   • Wigs
   • Feature Film
   • Stage Management
   • Emergency Repairs

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage costume quick changes for``Shakespeare in Hollywood".
   • Demonstrate special makeup and hair techniques for those less experience and handle costume emergencies during performances.
   • Supervise student production crews, control budget, purchase supplies, teach costume design, construction, and makeup.
   • Organize and meticulously move costumes to and from different sets/locations.
   • Manage costume quick changes for``Shakespeare in Hollywood".

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your wardrobe supervisor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A wardrobe supervisor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, wardrobe supervisors' average salary in alabama is 47% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level wardrobe supervisors earn 68% less than senior-level wardrobe supervisors.
   • Certifications. A wardrobe supervisor 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 wardrobe supervisor's salary.

   Average wardrobe supervisor salary

   $35,636yearly

   $17.13 hourly rate

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   Entry-level wardrobe supervisor salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a wardrobe supervisor job description

   A wardrobe supervisor 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. Below, you can find an example of a wardrobe supervisor job description:

   Wardrobe supervisor job description example

   · Related experience, or combination of training and/or education in Wardrobe as it relates to live performances.
   · Basic understanding of theatrical terms and directions.
   · Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
   · Ability to understand instructions in oral, written and diagram form in order to apply common sense to troubleshoot and solve problems.
   · Recognized as a proven team player with creative problem solving and strong trouble shooting capabilities.
   · Knowledge of sewing machines, their uses and different applications.
   · Ability to hand sew.
   · Understanding of fabrics and specific laundry and dry-cleaning needs of each specific fabric type.
   · Experience as a dresser in backstage settings as it relates to a live performance with flying elements.
   · Ability to lift over 50 lbs, stand for 2 hours and operate small hand tools.

   Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (or proof of exemption) will be required.

   What we bring…

   • Onboard (crossover) training included
   • Food & Lodging Included
   • Double Occupancy Cabin
   • Select Privileges in Passenger Dining Facilities
   • Access to Guest Gym Facilities
   • Free Laundry Service
   • Friends and Family cruise discounts

   Contract Dates…

   November 11th, 2022- April 11th 2023 (Dates can be Flexible)

   Pay Rate…

   • $950 per week

   At RWS, we believe our bold makers and mold breakers can come from any background. Our stage is open to all applicants, regardless of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. RWS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right wardrobe supervisor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with wardrobe supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit wardrobe supervisors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your wardrobe supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit wardrobe supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting wardrobe supervisors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 wardrobe supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the wardrobe supervisor 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new wardrobe supervisor. 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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