The salary for a costume designer varies widely. Because most designers begin with little to no experience, any job which gives experience is worthwhile. Work as an intern is often unpaid but provides invaluable experience which makes a designer more marketable. Entry level jobs often pay around $500.00 for the entire production; designers may be paid an hourly salary which can vary from about $8.00 to $35.00 per hour in Canada and the U.S., but payment per production is the norm. As a costume designer gains experience, his/her salary increases as well, with an experienced costume designer making up to $20,000.00 for a single production. Top level designers who work in the film industry can make $150,000.00 per production.