All occupationsCompare
Export

Costume Designers

Arts, Design, Entertainment & Mediamediumaugment
BLS 2024-34: +1%
Median Wage: $58,840
Employment: 44K

Overall Exposure

40

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

60

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

20

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

16

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

40โ†’54
+14

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

60โ†’73
+13

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

20โ†’36
+16

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

16โ†’28
+12

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202435551512actual
202540602016estimated
202645652520estimated
202750693124estimated
202854733628estimated

Task Breakdown

Research historical periods and generate reference mood boards
65%ฮฒ 1
Construct and fit physical costumes to performers
8%ฮฒ 0
Create digital costume sketches and renderings
58%ฮฒ 1

About This Occupation

If you work as a Costume Designer, AI is augmenting your research and digital design tasks. With an automation risk of 16/100 and overall exposure at 40%, this role faces medium transformation. Historical research and mood board generation sees the highest automation at 65%, while physical construction remains almost entirely manual. BLS projects +1% growth through 2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 16%, Costume Designers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Costume Designers is 16% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 40%, with 60% theoretical exposure and 20% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is 0 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Costume Designers are: Research historical periods and generate reference mood boards (65%), Create digital costume sketches and renderings (58%), Construct and fit physical costumes to performers (8%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +1% employment change for Costume Designers from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 40%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Costume Designers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.